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contents

n. · v.
US //ˈkɑntɛnts// con·tents
  1. 1 items inside something (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the things that are held inside a container, room, or bag.

    the physical or abstract items held within a container, space, or medium. Usually plural in this sense.

    Example

    The police officer asked the man to empty the contents of his pockets.

    Example

    Customs officials inspected the contents of the shipping container, looking for any items that had not been declared on the manifest.
  2. 2 list of chapters (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a list at the beginning of a book or document that shows the chapters and page numbers.

    a formal list of the sections, chapters, or articles in a publication, typically including page numbers. Often used in the phrase 'table of contents'.

    Example

    Check the table of contents to find which page the recipe is on.

    Example

    The report was so extensive that the table of contents alone spanned three pages, detailing every subsection and appendix.
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  1. 3 ideas or information (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    the ideas, facts, or images that are included in a book, movie, or website.

    the substantive information or creative material contained within a medium, distinguished from its form or delivery method.

    Example

    The teacher was happy with the contents of the essay but suggested better grammar.

    Example

    While the technical quality of the film was superb, critics argued that the intellectual contents were somewhat lacking in depth.
  2. 4 to satisfy (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Literary

    to make someone feel happy or satisfied with what they have.

    to satisfy the mind or desires of a person. Third-person singular present form.

    Example

    A quiet evening at home usually contents him after a long week.

    Example

    The simple life of the countryside contents her far more than the frantic pace of the city ever did.

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