contain

contain — verb

1. to have a particular thing, substance, or element as part of what is inside a sp

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to have a particular thing, substance, or element as part of what is inside a space, container, or larger whole — for example, a box containing old tools, a meal containing eggs, or a report containing warnings.

Example

The old suitcase contained nothing but a single photograph and a torn map.

Amelia packed a lunchbox that contained a sandwich, an apple, and a carton of juice.

contain + noun phrase listing contents

Common collocations
  • contains a
  • contained within
  • contains enough
  • containing several
Synonyms
  • hold

    more informal; focuses on physical capacity rather than inclusion as a component

  • include

    emphasises that something is part of a larger set, not necessarily physically inside

Antonyms
  • exclude

    to leave out or not include something as part of a group or whole

Grammar Patterns

contain + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used with containers (box, bag, bottle) or wholes (book, report, meal) as the subject. The object names the thing that is inside or included.

Common Mistakes

The box is containing many toys.
The box contains many toys.
'contain' is a stative verb and is not normally used in the continuous form.

2. to keep a dangerous or unwanted thing — such as a disease, fire, conflict, or cr

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to keep a dangerous or unwanted thing — such as a disease, fire, conflict, or crisis — within a limited area so it cannot reach or affect more people or places.

Example

Firefighters worked through the night to contain the wildfire before it reached the village.

contain + wildfire / fire / blaze

Public health officials are trying to contain the outbreak by isolating infected travellers.

Common collocations
  • contain the spread
  • contain the outbreak
  • contain the damage
  • efforts to contain
Synonyms
  • control

    broader in meaning; can apply to both harmful and neutral situations

  • confine

    more formal; stresses keeping within physical bounds

Antonyms
  • spread

    to move outward or affect more areas, the opposite of limiting

Grammar Patterns

contain + noun phrase (harmful thing)

Usage Note

The object is typically something harmful or unwanted: a disease, fire, riot, conflict, or crisis. Common in news reports and public health contexts.

Common Mistakes

The police contained the celebration in the square.' (celebration is positive — unnatural).
The police contained the riot in the square.
use 'contain' only for negative or dangerous things.

3. to keep a strong feeling such as anger, excitement, laughter, or sadness from sh

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to keep a strong feeling such as anger, excitement, laughter, or sadness from showing in your face, voice, or behaviour.

Example

Adaeze tried to contain her laughter during the serious meeting but could not help smiling.

contain + laughter / amusement

Christopher could barely contain his excitement when he heard about his promotion.

can/could barely contain + emotion

Common collocations
  • could not contain
  • barely contain
  • contain one's anger
  • contain one's excitement
Synonyms
  • suppress

    stronger and more formal; suggests actively pushing down a feeling

  • hold back

    more informal; common in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • express

    to show or communicate a feeling openly

Grammar Patterns

contain + emotion noun (anger, excitement, laughter)

cannot contain

barely contain

Usage Note

Commonly used with can/could in negative or near-negative constructions: 'could not contain', 'could barely contain', 'could hardly contain'. Typical objects are outburst emotions: laughter, anger, excitement, joy, tears.

Common Mistakes

I contained my happiness when I got the gift.' (unnatural — 'contain' with positive emotion sounds strange unless context implies hiding it).
I could not contain my excitement when I opened the gift.
most natural with 'could not' or 'barely'.

4. in sports such as football, basketball, or hockey, to prevent an opposing player

4.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

in sports such as football, basketball, or hockey, to prevent an opposing player or team from playing effectively and from scoring many points.

Example

The team's strong defence contained the opposing striker throughout the entire match.

In last night's game, the point guard managed to contain the league's top scorer.

contain + a specific player (top scorer, striker, forward)

Common collocations
  • contain the striker
  • contain the opposition
  • contain the attack
Synonyms
  • hold off

    suggests keeping an opponent at a distance rather than actively shutting them down

  • neutralise

    stronger; suggests making the opponent completely ineffective

Grammar Patterns

contain + opponent / player / team

Usage Note

Used mainly in sports commentary and coaching. The subject is usually a player or a team's defence, and the object is the opposing player, position (striker, forward), or team.

5. to prevent an opposing ball carrier from running around the edge of the field, f

5.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to prevent an opposing ball carrier from running around the edge of the field, forcing them toward the middle instead.

Example

The linebacker's main job was to contain the running back and push him back inside.

contain + ball carrier position (running back, quarterback)

Pim trained all week to learn how to contain the quarterback and limit his runs.

Common collocations
  • contain the run
  • contain the edge
  • contain the quarterback

Grammar Patterns

contain + ball carrier / running back / quarterback

Usage Note

Highly specialised use in American football strategy. The subject is a defensive player or position, and the object is the offensive player carrying or about to receive the ball.

Word family

  • container
    nounB1
  • containment
    nounC1
  • self-contained
    adjectiveC1
  • containable
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Contain' suggests that something is physically inside a space or is a component of a larger whole — a box contains tools; a meal contains protein. 'Hold' is more informal and focuses on capacity: a jug holds two litres, but we do not say a meal holds protein. 'Include' is the broadest of the three and works for both physical and abstract sets — 'the price includes tax' — but does not imply physical enclosure. 'Accommodate' is about whether there is enough room for a certain number or amount: 'the hall accommodates 300 guests.' For physical containment, 'contain' and 'hold' overlap, but 'contain' is preferred for listing ingredients, components, or hidden contents. Example: 'The report contains a warning about safety' vs. 'The report includes a warning about safety' — both work, but 'contains' feels more integral to the document's content.

contain ↗hold ↗include ↗accommodate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • barely contain
  • hardly contain
  • roughly contain
  • safely contain

Phrases

  • capable of containing
  • designed to contain

Prepositions

  • contain within

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Contain' entered English through Old French 'contenir', from Latin 'continere' — 'com-' (together) plus 'tenere' (to hold). The original sense was 'to hold together', which led to both 'having something inside' and 'keeping within limits'. The emotion-control sense appeared in the late 1500s, and the sports-specific uses developed in the 1900s.