1.  contain(v = verb.stative) comprise, incorporate - include or contain; have as a component; "A totally new idea is comprised in this paper"; "The record contains many old songs from the 1930's"
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something PP; Something ----s something

2.  contain(v = verb.stative) bear, carry, hold - contain or hold; have within; "The canteen holds fresh water"; "The jar carries wine"; "This can contains water"
Derived form noun container₁, noun content₄, adjective continent₁
Sample sentences: Something ----s something

3.  contain(v = verb.social) check, control, curb, hold, hold in, moderate - lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits; "control your anger"; "hold your temper"; "hold your tongue"; "moderate your alcohol intake"
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something

4.  contain(v = verb.stative) - be divisible by; "24 contains 6"
Sample sentences: Something ----s something

5.  contain(v = verb.stative) hold, take - be capable of holding or containing; "The flask holds one gallon"; "This box won't take all the items"
Sample sentences: Something ----s something

6.  contain(v = verb.competition) arrest, check, hold back, stop, turn back - hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism"
Derived form noun containment₁, noun containment₃
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s somebody; Somebody ----s something; Something ----s somebody; Something ----s something

1.  To hold within fixed limits; to comprise; to include; to inclose; to hold. [1913 Webster]

2.  To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; as, a bushel contains four pecks. [1913 Webster]

3.  To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds. [1913 Webster]

   To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity. [1913 Webster]

contain, v.tr.
1 hold or be capable of holding within itself; include, comprise.
2 (of measures) consist of or be equal to (a gallon contains eight pints).
3 prevent (an enemy, difficulty, etc.) from moving or extending.
4 control or restrain (oneself, one's feelings, etc.).
5 (of a number) be divisible by (a factor) without a remainder.

Derivative:
containable adj.

Etymology:
ME f. OF contenir f. L continere content- (as com-, tenere hold)

VB  be composed of, be made of, be formed of, be made up of, consist of, be resolved into, include, contain, hold, comprehend, take in, admit, embrace, embody, involve, implicate, drag into, compose, constitute, form, make, make up, fill up, build up, enter into the composition of.

VB  be included in, come under, fall under, range under, belong to, pertain to, range with, merge in, include, comprise, comprehend, contain, admit, embrace, receive, inclose, embody, encircle, reckon among, enumerate among, number among, refer to, place with, arrange with, place under, take into account.