Kənˈteɪn Contained I Verb Drink Alcohol Documents Sensitive

• this drink doesn't contain any alcohol.
• the documents contain sensitive information.
• electronic products contain hazardous materials that cannot be deposited in landfills.
• his account contained an element of truth.

contain

Verb Forms

1. if something contains something else, it has that thing inside it or as part of it
• This drink doesn't contain any alcohol.
• The documents contain sensitive information.
• Electronic products contain hazardous materials that cannot be deposited in landfills.
• His account contained an element of truth.
• to contain an amount/a number/a level of something
• He handed over a brown envelope containing a hundred dollar bills.
• The fish were found to contain traces of mercury.
• The bottle contains (= can hold) two litres.
• He said he was opposed to some of the provisions contrained in the bill.
• The stories contained within these pages are highly enjoyable.

Extra Examples

• The book contains no illustrations.
• These cells contain genes and proteins that interact with one another.
• The film contains amazing fight sequences.
• Her statement contained one or two inaccuracies.
2. to keep your feelings under control
• SYNONYM restrain
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/restrain
• She was unable to contain her excitement.
• She could hardly contain her excitement.
• I was so furious I just couldn't contain myself (= I had to express my feelings).
3. to prevent something harmful from spreading or getting worse
• to contain an epidemic
• Government forces have failed to contain the rebellion.

Extra Examples

• He introduced repressive measures to contain the violence.
• Overall planning policies are designed to contain the growth of urban sprawl.

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Old French contenir, from Latin continere, from con- ‘altogether’ + tenere ‘to hold’.