Content

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈkÉ’n.tÉ›nt/
• US enPR: kŏn'tÄ•nt, IPA: /ˈkÉ‘n.tÉ›nt/

From Latin contentus ("satisfied, content"), past participle of continere ("to hold in, contain"); see contain.

Full definition of content

Noun

1. (uncountable) That which is contained.
• 2013-06-21, Oliver Burkeman, The tao of tech, The dirty secret of the internet is that all this distraction and interruption is immensely profitable. Web companies like to boast about "creating compelling content", or...and so on. But the real way to build a successful online business is to be better than your rivals at undermining people's control of their own attention.
2. Subject matter; substance.
• GrewI shall prove these writings...authentic, and the contents true, and worthy of a divine original.
3. The amount of material contained; contents.
4. Capacity for holding.
• Francis BaconStrong ships, of great content.
5. (mathematics) The n-dimensional space contained by an n-dimensional polytope (called volume in the case of a polyhedron and area in the case of a polygon).

Pronunciation

• enPR: kÉ™ntÄ•nt', IPA: /kÉ™nˈtÉ›nt/

From Middle English, from Old French content, from Latin contentus ("satisfied, content"), past participle of continere ("to hold in, contain"); see contain.

Adjective

1. Satisfied; in a state of satisfaction.
• 1910, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price Chapter 1, This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking....He was smooth-faced, and his fresh skin and well-developed figure bespoke the man in good physical condition through active exercise, yet well content with the world's apportionment.

Derived terms

• contentment

Synonyms

• (satisfied) contented, pleased, satisfied

From Old French contente ("content, contentment"), from contenter; see content as a verb.

Noun

1. Satisfaction; contentmentThey were in a state of sleepy content after supper.
• ShakespeareSuch is the fullness of my heart's content.
2. (obsolete) acquiescence without examination
• Alexander PopeThe sense they humbly take upon content.
3. That which contents or satisfies; that which if attained would make one happy.
• ShakespeareSo will I in England work your grace's full content.
4. (UK, House of Lords) An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmate vote.
5. (UK, House of Lords) A member who votes in assent.

Derived terms

• discontent
• malcontent

From Old French contenter, from Medieval Latin contentare ("to satisfy"), from Latin contentus ("satisfied, content"); see content as an adjective.

Verb

1. (transitive) To give contentment or satisfaction; to satisfy; to gratify; to appease.You can't have any more - you'll have to content yourself with what you already have.
• Bible, Mark xv. 15Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them.
• I. WattsDo not content yourselves with obscure and confused ideas, where clearer are to be attained.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To satisfy the expectations of; to pay; to requite.
• ShakespeareCome the next Sabbath, and I will content you.