contain */*/*/

UK [kənˈteɪn] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "contain":
present tense I/you/we/they contain he/she/it contains present participle containing past tense contained past participle contained

1)

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

The envelope contained a few dried rose petals.

There were four or five boxes containing toys and books.

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

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

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

2)

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

Brown rice contains a lot of vitamins and minerals.

b) to include something, or to have it as a part

The information you need is contained in this report.

3) to control or hide an emotion

I couldn't contain my excitement any longer.

barely/hardly contain something:

Laura barely contained her fury.

4)

a) to prevent something harmful from spreading to other people or places

Firefighters are still battling to contain the blaze.

Strong measures are urgently needed to contain the epidemic.

b) to keep something within limits

Our main task is to contain expenditure within a budget.

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- contain yourself