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Definition of "contain" []

  • To have within; hold. (verb-transitive)
  • To be capable of holding. (verb-transitive)
  • To have as component parts; include or comprise: The album contains many memorable songs. (verb-transitive)
  • To hold or keep within limits; restrain: I could hardly contain my curiosity. (verb-transitive)
  • To halt the spread or development of; check: Science sought an effective method of containing the disease. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "contain" in a sentence
  • "Does the title contain one that isn't in my dictionary?"
  • "Some printings of this title contain both Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, and, What Alice Found There."
  • "The e-mails contain a code word to receive a discount, Whittington said."