{
    "term": "contain",
    "partOfSpeech": "verb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "contain",
            "heSheIt": "contains"
        },
        "pastSimple": "contained",
        "pastParticiple": "contained",
        "ingForm": "containing"
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "if something contains something else, it has that thing inside it or as part of it",
            "sensetop": "contain somethingcontained in somethingcontained within something",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "This drink doesn't contain any alcohol."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The documents **contain** sensitive **information**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Electronic products **contain** hazardous **materials** that cannot be deposited in landfills."
                },
                {
                    "text": "His account **contained an element** of truth."
                },
                {
                    "text": "to **contain an amount/a number/a level** of something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He handed over a brown envelope containing a hundred dollar bills."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The fish were **found to contain** traces of mercury."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The bottle contains *(= can hold)* two litres."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He said he was opposed to some of the provisions contained in the bill.",
                    "contextForm": "contained in something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The stories contained within these pages are highly enjoyable.",
                    "contextForm": "contained within something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The book contains no illustrations."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These cells contain genes and proteins that interact with one another."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The film contains amazing fight sequences."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Her statement contained one or two inaccuracies."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to keep your feelings under control",
            "sensetop": "contain somethingcontain yourself",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She was unable to contain her excitement.",
                    "contextForm": "contain something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She could hardly contain her excitement."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I was so furious I just couldn't contain myself *(= I had to express my feelings)*.",
                    "contextForm": "contain yourself"
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "restrain"
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "to prevent something harmful from spreading or getting worse",
            "sensetop": "contain something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "to contain an epidemic"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Government forces have failed to contain the rebellion."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He introduced repressive measures to contain the violence."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Overall planning policies are designed to contain the growth of urban sprawl."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kənˈteɪn/",
                "audio": "xc/contain/xcontain__gb_2.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kənˈteɪnz/",
                "audio": "xc/contain/xcontains__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kənˈteɪnd/",
                "audio": "xc/contain/xcontained__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kənˈteɪnɪŋ/",
                "audio": "xc/contain/xcontaining__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kənˈteɪn/",
                "audio": "xc/contain/xcontain__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kənˈteɪnz/",
                "audio": "xc/contain/xcontains__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kənˈteɪnd/",
                "audio": "xc/contain/xcontained__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kənˈteɪnɪŋ/",
                "audio": "xc/contain/xcontaining__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Old French contenir, from Latin continere, from con- ‘altogether’ + tenere ‘to hold’."
}