content

1 of 4

noun (1)

con·tent ˈkän-ˌtent

Synonyms of content next

: something contained

—usually used in plural

the jar's contents

the drawer's contents

: the topics or matter treated in a written work

table of contents

: 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

: substance, gist

: meaning, significance

: the events, physical detail, and information in a work of art compare form sense 10c

The film was rated R for its violent content.

: the matter dealt with in a field of study

… the content of sociology is inexhaustible …—

Franklin H. Giddings

: a part, element, or complex of parts

: the amount of specified material contained : proportion

the sulfur content in coal

content

2 of 4

adjective

con·tent kən-ˈtent

: contented, satisfied

She was content with her life as it was.

content

3 of 4

verb

con·tent kən-ˈtent

contented; contenting; contents

transitive verb

: to appease the desires of

… he had been betrayed into a position which neither contented his heart nor satisfied his conscience.—

Edward Bulwer-Lytton

: 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

: contentment

He ate to his heart's content.

Examples of content in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In January, the 29-year-old content creator, internet personality, and former Ph.D. student set out on a solo road trip to be the first Black woman to make this trek. —

Ronny Maye, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024 In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest. —

Alex Sundby, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for content

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'content.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Content.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/content. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

content

1 of 4 adjective

con·tent kən-ˈtent

: 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

: something contained

—usually used in plural

the contents of a jar

: the subject matter or topics treated (as in a book)

table of contents

: the essential meaning

I enjoy the rhythm of the poem but I don't understand its content

: 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

: something contained

—usually used in plural

the stomach contents

: the subject matter or symbolic significance of something see latent content, manifest content

: the amount of specified material contained

the sulfur content of a sample

Last Updated: 22 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

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content

noun (1)

adjective

verb

noun (2)

Synonyms

Examples of content in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near content

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition