The meaning of CONTAIN is to have within : hold. How to use contain in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Contain.

CONTAIN definition: to hold or include within its volume or area. See examples of contain used in a sentence.

Each large crate contains 12 boxes. The information contained on forms would be kept strictly confidential. Each food serving contains 95 calories. You could retrieve all files that contained …

Feb 2, 2026 · contain (third-person singular simple present contains, present participle containing, simple past and past participle contained) The brown box contains three stacks of books. At half …

Definition of contain verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Contain means to have within or have as a part or constituent: The box contained emergency medical supplies. The book contains some amusing passages. Hold stresses capacity for containing: The …

Contain definition: To have as a component or constituent part; include.

Contain refers to what is actually within a given container. Hold emphasizes the idea of keeping within bounds; it refers also to the greatest amount or number that can be kept within a given container.

SYNONYMS 1. contain, accommodate, hold, express the idea that something is so designed that something else can exist or be placed within it. contain refers to what is actually within a given …

People can barely contain — or hold back — their excitement at being there. They clutch cups that contain — or hold — hot drinks that help them stay warm. The police set up barriers to contain — …