content

1 of 4

noun (1)

con·​tent ˈkän-ˌtent How to pronounce content (audio)
1
a
: something contained
usually used in plural
the jar's contents
the drawer's contents
b
: the topics or matter treated in a written work
table of contents
c
: the principal substance (such as written matter, illustrations, or music) offered by a website
… Internet users have evolved an ethos of free content in the Internet.Ben Gerson
2
c
: the events, physical detail, and information in a work of art compare form sense 10c
The film was rated R for its violent content.
3
a
: the matter dealt with in a field of study
… the content of sociology is inexhaustible …Franklin H. Giddings
b
: a part, element, or complex of parts
4
: the amount of specified material contained : proportion
the sulfur content in coal

content

2 of 4

adjective

con·​tent kən-ˈtent How to pronounce content (audio)
: contented, satisfied
She was content with her life as it was.

content

3 of 4

verb

con·​tent kən-ˈtent How to pronounce content (audio)
contented; contenting; contents

transitive verb

1
: to appease the desires of
… he had been betrayed into a position which neither contented his heart nor satisfied his conscience.Edward Bulwer-Lytton
2
: to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions
The rainy weather spoiled our plans for the beach, so we had to content ourselves with a relaxing day at home.

content

4 of 4

noun (2)

con·​tent kən-ˈtent How to pronounce content (audio)
: contentment
He ate to his heart's content.

Examples of content in a Sentence

Noun (1) although I appreciate the poem's lyrical qualities, I don't understand its content judging from the table of contents, I'd have to say that this book covers most of the major topics in American history the speech was filled with fine words but devoid of any real content Adjective The baby looks content in her crib. A fancy hotel is not necessary; I'd be content with a warm meal and a clean place to sleep. No, I don't want to play. I'm content to watch. Not content to stay at home, she set off to see the world at the age of 16. Polls show that voters are growing less and less content with the current administration. Verb The toys contented the children, at least for a little while. a person easily contented by life's simple pleasures Noun (2) slept to her heart's content on weekends
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.
Noun
In a recent report, the ADL’s Center on Extremism (COE) claims to have identified 1.5 million unique users and over 73,000 groups who used at least one piece of potentially extremist or hateful content. Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 17 Nov. 2024 This content was summarized by generative artificial intelligence using public filings retrieved from SEC.gov. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
And although he’s considered a polished scorer for his age, Arenas has learned to never be content with his game. Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Tom Hanks is content to let Forrest Gump stand on its own. John Russell, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Alas, Storm-chasers will have to content themselves to Berry's four film appearances, in the original X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024 There was no grand, CGI-heavy battle sequence; combat fans had to content themselves, this season, with the Battle of Rook's Rest. Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for content 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin contentum (usually in plural contenta), noun derivative from neuter past participle of Latin continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin contentus "satisfied," from past participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain

Note: The sense "satisfied" of Latin contentus presumably developed from the more literal meaning "self-contained, restrained, held in." This is still somewhat apparent in early uses, as in this passage from Plautus's Poenulus: "ego faxo posthac di deaeque ceteri / contentiores mage erunt atque avidi minus, / quom scibunt, ut Veneri adierit leno manum." ("I will make the other gods and goddesses more restrained (contentiores) and less greedy when they know how the procurer played a trick on Venus.")

Verb

Middle English contenten "to rest satisfied, satisfy," borrowed from Anglo-French contenter "to satisfy," borrowed from Medieval Latin contentāre, verbal derivative of Latin contentus "satisfied" — more at content entry 2

Noun (2)

noun derivative of content entry 2 or content entry 3

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of content was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near content

Cite this Entry

“Content.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/content. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

content

1 of 4 adjective
con·​tent kən-ˈtent How to pronounce content (audio)
: pleased and satisfied with what one has or is

content

2 of 4 verb
: to make content : satisfy

content

3 of 4 noun
: contentment
especially : freedom from care or discomfort

content

4 of 4 noun
con·​tent ˈkän-ˌtent How to pronounce content (audio)
1
a
: something contained
usually used in plural
the contents of a jar
b
: the subject, topics, or material presented (as in a book or on a website)
table of contents
online content
2
: the essential meaning
I enjoy the rhythm of the poem but I don't understand its content
3
: an amount that is contained or can be contained
oil with a high content of sulfur
the jug has a content of four liters

Medical Definition

content

noun
con·​tent ˈkän-ˌtent How to pronounce content (audio)
1
: something contained
usually used in plural
the stomach contents
2
: the subject matter or symbolic significance of something see latent content, manifest content
3
: the amount of specified material contained
the sulfur content of a sample

More from Merriam-Webster on content

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