containment

noun

con·​tain·​ment kən-ˈtān-mənt How to pronounce containment (audio)
Synonyms of containmentnext
1
: the act, process, or means of keeping something within limits
the containment of health costs
2
: the policy, process, or result of preventing the expansion of a hostile power or ideology

Examples of containment in a Sentence

The company's hazardous waste containment plan is being reviewed. The government needs to adopt a containment strategy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause has yet to be determined. — Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025 During the 2014 Ebola outbreak, containment became a central theme of how Liberians referenced Ebola abroad. — Edna Bonhomme, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025 This level of containment significantly reduces the potential impact of an attack. — Sameer Malhotra, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Firefighters are working to establish containment lines around the fire to keep it from spreading. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for containment

Word History

Etymology

contain + -ment

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of containment was in 1655

Rhymes for containment

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Browse Nearby Words

containment
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Cite this Entry

“Containment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/containment. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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