ENGLISH
REFERENCE

contain

v.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //kənˈteɪn// UK //kəntˈeɪn// con·tain Archaic General-service

v. to have something inside. You use this when one thing holds another thing, like a box holding toys.

v. to have or hold someone or something within; to include as a part or ingredient. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

This bottle can contain two liters of water.

CONTEXTUAL

The old wooden box in the attic might contain some valuable family photos.

COMPLEX

The report does not contain any specific data regarding the environmental impact of the new factory, which has led to significant public criticism.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English, borrowed from Old French contenir, from Latin continēre (“to hold or keep together, comprise, contain”), combined form of con- (“together”) + teneō (“to hold”).

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In its 'restrain' sense, it often takes an object like 'emotions' or 'excitement'.

Pitfall

The box is containing toys.The box contains toys.Contain is a stative verb and is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form when describing what something holds.

Idioms1 entry

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