Definition, synonyms and related words
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of contain
"She contains a surprising amount of patience despite her usual short temper."
In plain English: To contain means to hold something inside or keep it within limits.
"The backpack contains my lunch and water bottle."
Usage: Use contains to describe when something holds or has a specific part within it, such as saying a box contains toys or water contains minerals. Avoid using it to mean including someone in a group, which requires the phrasal verb include instead.
Derived from the Latin contineri, the past participle of continere meaning "to hold together," this verb entered English in the 14th century to signify that something holds or includes other things within its boundaries.