contain

verb transitive

UK /kənˈteɪn/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	contain
he/she/it	contains
present participle	containing
past tense	contained
past participle	contained

1
a container, envelope, room etc that contains something has something inside it
The envelope contained a few dried rose petals.
There were four or five boxes containing toys and books.
Synonyms and related words
To contain something
include
contain
fit
1. 1a
  if an area contains something, you will find that thing there
  The area contains some of the richest geological deposits in the country.
  Pretty much everything a tourist would want to see is contained within the walls of the old town.
  Synonyms and related words
  To surround or put something around something
  kettle
  surround
  enclose
2
if a substance contains something, that thing is a part of it
Brown rice contains a lot of vitamins and minerals.
Synonyms and related words
To contain something
include
contain
fit
1. 2a
  to include something, or to have it as a part
  The information you need is contained in this report.
  Synonyms and related words
  To contain something
  include
  contain
  fit
3
to control or hide an emotion
I couldn’t contain my excitement any longer.
barely/hardly contain something:
Laura barely contained her fury.
Synonyms and related words
To stop, control or not show emotions
manage
suppress
deal with
4
to prevent something harmful from spreading to other people or places
Firefighters are still battling to contain the blaze.
Strong measures are urgently needed to contain the epidemic.
Synonyms and related words
To stop something from continuing or developing
interfere with
inhibit
disrupt
1. 4a
  to keep something within limits
  Our main task is to contain expenditure within a budget.
  Synonyms and related words
  To limit or control something or someone
  draw a line in the sand
  limit
  control

phrases

contain yourself

contain ​‌‌‌

contain ​‌‌‌

contain

contain