- 1contain something if something contains something else, it has that thing inside it or as part of it This drink doesn't contain any alcohol. Her statement contained one or two inaccuracies. a brown envelope containing dollar bills The bottle contains (= can hold) two quarts.
- 2contain something to keep your feelings under control synonym restrain She was unable to contain her excitement. I was so furious I just couldn't contain myself (= I had to express my feelings).
- 3contain something to prevent something harmful from spreading or getting worse to contain an epidemic Government forces have failed to contain the rebellion.
- 4contain something (mathematics) to be able to be divided exactly by a number Ten contains five and two, but not three.
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NAmE//kənˈteɪn//
(not used in the progressive tenses)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they contain he / she / it contains
past simple contained
Check pronunciation: contain