# pertain

/pɝˈteɪn/ (US) · /pətˈeɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pertain
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

to be related to or belong to a specific person, thing, or subject. You use this when you want to say something is about a particular topic.

For teachers: to be related to or belong to a specific person, thing, or subject. Often used in formal or legal contexts to establish a connection between two entities.

## Examples

- This question pertains to your recent application.
- The legal team explained that the new rules pertain to how the company handles customer data.
- While the initial findings pertain to the chemical properties of the substance, the long-term implications remain a subject of intense debate among the scientific community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.