contain
verb (transitive)
UK/kənˈteɪn/US/kənˈteɪn/
To hold or have something inside; to include or enclose something within.
Example Sentences
The box is designed to contain all the necessary tools for the job.
Please contain your excitement until we reach the destination.
The reservoir is large enough to contain the entire floodwaters.
The report should contain all relevant data and analysis.
He used a special container to contain the chemicals safely.
The city implemented measures to contain the spread of the virus.
They built a fence to contain the livestock within the pasture.
The package is reinforced to contain the fragile items during transit.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To have within, encompass, or restrain something insideAs a verb, “contain” indicates holding something within a larger whole—whether physically, as in “The box contains books,” or conceptually, such as controlling or limiting an outcome (“They worked quickly to contain the fire”). It can appear in contexts involving physical storage, like “This bottle can contain two liters of water,” or more metaphorical forms, such as managing emotions (“He struggled to contain his excitement”). In academic or analytical writing, the term might denote something included in a dataset or argument (“The study contains evidence supporting the hypothesis”). For clarity, specify what is being contained and how—an object, a feeling, or an external threat. If you’re discussing boundaries or capacity, pair it with details indicating how large or strong those boundaries are. If emphasizing emotional restraint, highlight the circumstances prompting containment. By doing so, you ensure readers or listeners grasp whether you mean literal storage, figurative control, or a combination of both.
Alternatives
If you’d like to avoid repetition or add nuance, you can use synonyms or related verbs. For physical or spatial contexts, consider “hold,” “encompass,” “enclose,” or “house.” When highlighting capacity limits, “accommodate” and “fit” may work—“This venue can accommodate 500 people.” For emotional or more abstract contexts, “restrain,” “suppress,” or “curb” capture a sense of controlling or limiting. If discussing data or content within documents or repositories, “include,” “comprise,” or “consist of” may be apt—“The report comprises several detailed case studies.” Each alternative conveys slightly different shades of meaning, depending on whether you focus on physical enclosures, emotional states, or conceptual boundaries. Choosing the right term refines your writing or speech, ensuring precision about how something is held in place or limited.
Writing
In written contexts, “contain” effectively highlights capacity or boundaries, whether you’re describing a container’s contents or the breadth of an argument. Technical manuals might say, “This package contains installation instructions,” while a narrative could note, “Her diary contained all her private thoughts.” If you’re discussing crisis management—like a wildfire or a virus outbreak—“contain” indicates efforts to control or halt the spread: “Authorities worked tirelessly to contain the virus.” Academic or research writing often uses “contain” when referencing included data or chapters—“The appendix contains supplementary tables.” Variety matters, so consider synonyms like “encompass,” “include,” or “hold” to avoid monotony. Incorporate context—whether it’s a physical, digital, or metaphorical enclosure—and ensure the sentence clarifies what’s inside and how it’s bound or limited. By balancing direct statements with details about scope, capacity, or constraints, your writing delivers clarity and depth regarding precisely what is contained and why it’s notable.
Casual Conversation
In day-to-day conversation, “contain” pops up when talking about items inside boxes or bags—“My backpack contains everything I need for the day”—or when referencing an emotional reaction—“I can’t contain my excitement about the concert!” People also say it when discussing controlling outcomes, such as, “We need to contain the mess before it spreads.” If the situation is more relaxed, you might pick a simpler word like “hold” or “have,” e.g., “This cup holds my coffee.” But “contain” remains handy if you want to sound a bit more formal or precise. Whether you’re describing the contents of a fridge, how to manage a minor crisis, or your own enthusiasm, “contain” signals a boundary or capacity. Just remember to keep context in mind so others know if you mean physical containment, emotional restraint, or figurative limitation. If you’re feeling repetitive, switch to casual phrases like “I’ve got” or “It’s full of” to keep the tone light while conveying the same idea.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin “con” (together) and “tenere” (to hold), “contain” emerged through Old French “contener,” initially implying the act of holding or enclosing. Over centuries, it expanded to reflect not only physical confinement—like storing goods in a container—but also the notion of setting or enforcing boundaries, as with containing emotions or disease outbreaks. This dual sense of physically enclosing and metaphorically limiting remains central to modern usage, spanning contexts from packaging and storage to emotional and crisis management. Despite changes in application, the root idea of ‘holding together’ or keeping something within bounds echoes through both everyday and technical usages of “contain.”