content

1 of 4

noun (1)

con·​tent ˈkän-ˌtent 

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

a

: substance, gist

b

: meaning, significance

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 

: 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

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 

: contentment

He ate to his heart's content.

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• matter
• motif
• motive
• question
• subject
• theme
• topic

Adjective

• contented
• gratified
• happy
• pleased
• satisfied

Verb

• agree (with)
• delight
• feast
• gas [slang]
• glad [archaic]
• gladden
• gratify
• please
• pleasure
• rejoice
• satisfy
• suit
• warm

Noun (2)

• contentedness
• contentment
• delectation
• delight
• enjoyment
• gladness
• gratification
• happiness
• pleasure
• relish
• satisfaction

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

Noun

However, a subsequent X-ray confirmed unusual contents, prompting a physical inspection. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

Sho Dewan is a career coach, content creator, and the CEO & founder of Workhap. —Sho Dewan, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Not content with one musical option, sheriff’s officials also let in choral groups and a five-piece band. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Finally, 13% of women would be content with a simple but meaningful piece of jewelry. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Dec. 2024

Verb

Instead, Israel contented itself with creative and reasonably effective alternatives to direct military action. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024

From the new show Carl the Collector, which features an autistic raccoon, to content with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations, PBS KIDS is spearheading change in the disability community. —Jaclyn Greenberg, Parents, 5 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing content

• content analysis
• content oneself with
• content word
• self-content
• to one's heart's content

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 

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 

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