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 on the containment status of the fire and the cause has yet to be determined. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Dec. 2025 After reviewing their analysis, Eisenhower decided that a milder approach would work well and opted for a more cost-effective strategy of containment rather than a more expensive one of actively and aggressively rolling back Moscow’s influence. Caleb Pomeroy, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2025 Union Pacific quickly made their way to the area along with first responders to rescue the engineers and begin containment measures. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025 The Lakers struggled with their perimeter containment on drives and closeouts, leading to the Jazz shooting 70% from the field (14 of 20) in the opening quarter – 54.5% from 3-point range (6 for 11) – and attempting 11 free throws. Khobi Price, Oc Register, 19 Dec. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Containment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/containment. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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