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Definition contain in British English

contain verb

[transitive] verb
/kənˈteɪn/
1

a container, envelope, room etc that contains something has something inside it

Example

The envelope contained a few dried rose petals.

Example

There were four or five boxes containing toys and books.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

if an area contains something, you will find that thing there

Example

The area contains some of the richest geological deposits in the country.

Example

Pretty much everything a tourist would want to see is contained within the walls of the old town.

Synonyms and related words
2

if a substance contains something, that thing is a part of it

Example

Brown rice contains a lot of vitamins and minerals.

Synonyms and related words
2.1

to include something, or to have it as a part

Example

The information you need is contained in this report.

Synonyms and related words
3

to control or hide an emotion

Example

I couldn't contain my excitement any longer.

Example

Laura barely contained her fury.

Synonyms and related words
4

to prevent something harmful from spreading to other people or places

Example

Firefighters are still battling to contain the blaze.

Example

Strong measures are urgently needed to contain the epidemic.

Synonyms and related words
4.1

to keep something within limits

Example

Our main task is to contain expenditure within a budget.

Synonyms and related words
Definition contain in British English