Contain Meaning
Contain Definition & Usage
To hold something within or include something as part of a whole, typically in a physical container or space.
Examples
- "The box can contain up to 50 items."
- "This jar contains homemade jam."
- "The cup contains coffee."
- "The bottle contains pure water."
- "The museum exhibits objects that contain pieces of history."
To hold back, restrain, or control something, such as an emotion, reaction, or force.
Examples
- "She struggled to contain her excitement when she heard the news."
- "He couldn't contain his laughter during the meeting."
- "The teacher had to contain her frustration when the students misbehaved."
- "He managed to contain his anger during the argument."
- "The containment of emotions is often difficult during stressful situations."
To limit or restrict the spread of something, often in reference to dangerous situations or events.
Examples
- "The fire was contained within the building."
- "The government is working to contain the spread of the virus."
- "They managed to contain the flooding before it reached the town."
- "The police contained the protest without incident."
- "The company implemented measures to contain the data breach."
Cultural Context
'Contain' comes from the Latin word 'continentem', meaning 'holding together' or 'restraining'. In modern English, it encompasses both physical and abstract meanings, from holding something within a container to controlling emotions or situations.
The Firefighter's Resolve
Story
The Firefighter's Resolve
A fire had broken out at a local warehouse, its fierce flames quickly consuming the structure. Firefighters arrived at the scene, their sirens blaring as they scrambled into action. Captain Grace, the team leader, assessed the situation with a practiced eye. The building was old, and the fire was spreading rapidly, but they had to act quickly. Grace spoke with calm authority. 'We need to contain this fire before it spreads to the nearby homes.' As the team battled the flames, Grace watched carefully, ensuring her team maintained control over the situation. She knew that containing the fire was not just about stopping it from spreading—it was about protecting the community and saving lives. After hours of tireless work, the fire was finally contained within the warehouse, and the nearby houses were spared. Grace wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling a deep sense of relief. 'We did it,' she whispered to herself. 'We contained it.' Later that day, Grace sat down with her team to discuss the operation. 'We contained the fire,' she repeated, emphasizing the victory over the crisis. 'But it's not just about putting out the flames—it's about controlling the situation and making sure it doesn’t get worse. We did that.' In the weeks that followed, the town held a ceremony to thank the firefighters. Grace stood before the crowd, her team by her side. 'It was an effort from all of us,' she said, 'but together, we contained the danger and protected what matters most.' As she spoke, Grace reflected on the deeper meaning of the word. To contain, in this case, was not just about extinguishing fire; it was about controlling a potentially catastrophic event and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
Related Words
