verb
contain
kuhn-TAYN
verb
1
To hold something inside, or to have something as one of its parts.
"The box contains all the old photographs."
"This report contains three separate sections."
2
To keep something under control so it does not spread or get worse.
"Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze."
"She struggled to contain her excitement."
How to Use Contain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hold something inside, or to keep something (a fire, a feeling, a problem) from getting bigger or spreading.
Common pairings
contain a virus
contain your emotions
contains no nuts
Word Forms
contained past tense, contains singular
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The box _____ all the old photographs.
Etymology
From Old French contenir, from Latin continēre, "to hold together" — con- ("together") + tenēre ("to hold").