contain
[verb]
Synonyms:
- hold, accommodate, enclose, have capacity for, incorporate, seat
- include, comprehend, comprise, consist of, embody, embrace, involve
- restrain, control, curb, hold back, hold in, keep a tight rein on, repress, stifle

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Related Words: harbor, house, lodge, shelter, admit, receive, take, take in

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

con‧tain S2 W1 /kənˈteɪn/ verb [transitive]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: contenir, from Latin continere 'to hold together, hold in, contain', from com- ( ⇒ COM-) + tenere 'to hold']

1. CONTAINER/PLACE if something such as a bag, box, or place contains something, that thing is inside it:
The thieves stole a purse containing banknotes.
The museum contains a number of original artworks.

2. WRITING/SPEECH if a document, book, speech etc contains something, that thing is included in it:
The letter contained information about Boulestin’s legal affairs.
be contained in/within something
The proposed changes are contained in a policy statement.

3. SUBSTANCE if a substance contains something, that thing is part of it:
This product may contain nuts.

REGISTER
In everyday English, people often use different phrases to say that something contains something else:
■ The box contained books. ➔ The box had books in it.
■ | The essay contained a lot of mistakes. ➔ There were a lot of mistakes in the essay.
■ | Does this dish contain any meat? ➔ Is there any meat in this dish?

4. CONTROL FEELINGS to control strong feelings of anger, excitement etc:
Jane couldn’t contain her amusement any longer.
contain yourself
He was so excited he could hardly contain himself.

5. STOP SOMETHING to stop something from spreading or escaping:
Doctors are struggling to contain the epidemic.
measures aimed at containing political opposition ⇒ self-contained

6. MATHS technical to surround an area or an angle:
How big is the angle contained by these two sides?

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

contain
verb
BAD: The wallet was containing about $25.
GOOD: The wallet contained about $25.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲