pertain

verb

per·​tain pər-ˈtān 

pertained; pertaining; pertains

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to belong as a part, member, accessory, or product

(2)

: to belong as an attribute, feature, or function

the destruction pertaining to war

(3)

: to belong as a duty or right

rights that pertain to fatherhood

b

: to be appropriate to something

which rule pertains?

2

: to have reference

books pertaining to birds

Did you know?

Pertain comes to English via Anglo-French from the Latin verb pertinēre, meaning "to reach to" or "to belong." Pertinēre, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix per- (meaning "through") and tenēre ("to hold"). Tenēre is a popular root in English words and often manifests with the -tain spelling that can be seen in pertain. Other descendants include abstain, contain, detain, maintain, obtain, retain, and sustain, to name a few of the more common ones. Not every -tain word has tenēre in its ancestry, though. Ascertain, attain, and certain are among the exceptions. And a few tenēre words don't follow the usual pattern: tenacious and tenure are two.

Synonyms

• appertain
• belong

Examples of pertain in a Sentence

books pertaining to the country's history

the belief that quality medical care is a right that pertains to everyone

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether the change pertains to employee benefits, a new sales strategy or an emerging product line, major course changes are rarely smooth. —Niki Jorgensen, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Investors also mulled over the potential picks for Treasury Secretary ahead of Donald Trump’s second term, with concerns pertaining to the candidates’ experience levels and track record. —Samantha Subin,sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 20 Nov. 2024

Upon the creation of ICE in 2003, Homan served in various leadership roles pertaining to investigations and coordination with other law enforcement agencies. —Raphael Romero Ruiz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024

Question 4 On the Massachusetts ballot, Question 4 pertains to the legalization of psychedelics. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perteinen, from Anglo-French partenir, purteiner, from Latin pertinēre to reach to, belong, from per- through + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

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Kids Definition

pertain

verb

per·​tain pər-ˈtān 

1

: to belong to a person or thing as a part, quality, or function

duties that pertain to an office

2

: to have reference

books pertaining to birds