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

On January 28, the FDA announced a recall pertaining to La Fiesta Food Products LLC unseasoned breadcrumbs. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

However, according to Texas Health and Human Services, the Restroom Access Act clearly states those with pertaining medical conditions must be allowed access to a restroom. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2025

Ahead of the Hornets-Pelicans game, several sportsbooks removed bets pertaining to Rozier, which was noted by avid bettors on social media. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025

And in November, Biden issued a White House statement denying the legitimacy of the International Criminal Court on all matters pertaining to the Israeli government’s war in Gaza. —Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025

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)

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