Contain vs. Incorporate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 4, 2024
Contain focuses on having something within limits; incorporate involves inclusion or integration into a larger whole.
Difference Between Contain and Incorporate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Contain typically refers to having something within or holding something inside limits or boundaries. For example, a box contains objects placed inside it, implying the objects are completely enclosed by the box's boundaries. Incorporate, on the other hand, means to include or integrate a part or aspect into a larger whole or group. When a company incorporates new technologies, it integrates these technologies into its existing systems or processes.
Containment suggests a form of control or restriction, emphasizing the aspect of being held within an area or space. Incorporation often implies a form of expansion or enhancement, indicating that the new element becomes an integral part of the larger entity.
Contain can also imply a sense of restraint or the ability to keep something under control, such as containing a situation or emotion. This usage highlights the control aspect of containment, where the focus is on preventing something from exceeding certain limits or boundaries. Incorporate carries a connotation of formal integration or amalgamation, especially in legal or organizational contexts. For instance, incorporating a business involves a legal process that formally recognizes the business as a corporation, making it a distinct legal entity. This process signifies a formal and official inclusion into the corporate structure.
Contain is often used in contexts that emphasize physical boundaries or limitations, such as containers or areas that can hold or restrict the movement of objects or substances. This usage underscores the physical aspect of containment, where the primary concern is with spatial limits. Incorporate, meanwhile, is frequently employed in contexts that focus on structural or conceptual integration. Whether discussing ideas, elements, or entities, incorporation suggests a seamless blending or unification with an existing structure, enhancing or altering its composition.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To have something within limits.
To include or integrate into a larger whole.
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Context
Often used in physical or control contexts.
Commonly found in legal, organizational, or structural contexts.
Implication
Suggests restraint or holding within boundaries.
Implies expansion, enhancement, and formal integration.
Usage
"The container contains water."
"The company incorporates new technology."
Connotation
Control, restraint, physical boundaries.
Formal integration, enhancement, structural inclusion.
Compare with Definitions
Contain
To hold or include within a space.
The document contains important information.
Incorporate
To form into a corporation or a structured entity.
They decided to incorporate their business.
Contain
To have something within limits or boundaries.
The park contains several rare bird species.
Incorporate
To include or integrate into a larger whole or system.
The new design incorporates several safety features.
Contain
To control or restrain emotions or situations.
He struggled to contain his excitement.
Incorporate
To blend or combine seamlessly with something else.
The architect incorporated traditional elements into the modern design.
Contain
To prevent the spread or escape of something.
Firefighters worked to contain the fire.
Incorporate
To adopt or take on as part of a whole.
The curriculum incorporates recent research findings.
Contain
To be capable of holding or enclosing.
This jar contains up to two liters of liquid.
Incorporate
To make something part of a constitution, document, or set of rules.
The amendment was incorporated into the constitution.
Contain
Have or hold (someone or something) within
The cigarettes were thought to contain cannabis
Incorporate
To unite (one thing) with something else already in existence
Incorporated the letter into her diary.
Contain
Control or restrain (oneself or a feeling)
He must contain his hatred
Incorporate
To admit as a member to a corporation or similar organization.
Contain
To have within; hold
A bin that contains rice.
Incorporate
To cause to merge or combine together into a united whole.
Contain
To be capable of holding
These barrels contain 50 gallons.
Incorporate
To cause to form into a legal corporation
Incorporate a business.
Contain
To have as a component or constituent part; include
Does the soup contain meat? The poem contains many famous lines.
Incorporate
To give substance or material form to; embody.
Contain
To hold or keep within limits; restrain
I could hardly contain my curiosity.
Incorporate
To become united or combined into an organized body.
Contain
To halt the spread or development of; check
Science sought an effective method of containing the disease.
Incorporate
To become or form a legal corporation
San Antonio incorporated as a city in 1837.
Contain
To check the expansion or influence of (a hostile power or ideology) by containment.
Incorporate
(Linguistics) To move from the head of one phrase to the head of another, forming a new word by affixing onto that head, as in certain languages when a noun object of a verb is affixed to the verb.
Contain
(Mathematics) To be exactly divisible by.
Incorporate
Combined into one united body; merged.
Contain
(transitive) To hold inside.
Incorporate
Formed into a legal corporation.
Contain
(transitive) To include as a part.
Incorporate
(transitive) To include (something) as a part.
The design of his house incorporates a spiral staircase.
To incorporate another's ideas into one's work
Contain
(transitive) To put constraints upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.
I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself!
Incorporate
(transitive) To mix (something in) as an ingredient; to blend
Incorporate air into the mixture by whisking.
Contain
To have as an element or subset.
A group contains a unique inverse for each of its elements.
If that subgraph contains the vertex in question then it must be spanning.
Incorporate
(transitive) To admit as a member of a company
Contain
To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.
Incorporate
(transitive) To form into a legal company.
The company was incorporated in 1980.
Contain
To hold within fixed limits; to comprise; to include; to inclose; to hold.
Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can not contain thee; how much less this house!
When that this body did contain a spirit.
What thy stores contain bring forth.
Incorporate
To include (another clause or guarantee of the US constitution) as a part (of the Fourteenth Amendment, such that the clause binds not only the federal government but also state governments).
Contain
To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; as, a bushel contains four pecks.
Incorporate
To form into a body; to combine, as different ingredients, into one consistent mass.
Contain
To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.
The king's person contains the unruly people from evil occasions.
Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves.
Incorporate
To unite with a material body; to give a material form to; to embody.
Contain
To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.
But if they can not contain, let them marry.
Incorporate
(obsolete) Corporate; incorporated; made one body, or united in one body; associated; mixed together; combined; embodied.
Contain
Include or contain; have as a component;
A totally new idea is comprised in this paper
The record contains many old songs from the 1930's
Incorporate
Not consisting of matter; not having a material body; incorporeal; spiritual.
Contain
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Incorporate
Not incorporated; not existing as a corporation.
An incorporate banking association
Contain
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
Moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
Hold your temper
Control your anger
Incorporate
Not consisting of matter; not having a material body; incorporeal; spiritual.
Moses forbore to speak of angles, and things invisible, and incorporate.
Contain
Be divisible by;
24 contains 6
Incorporate
Not incorporated; not existing as a corporation; as, an incorporate banking association.
Contain
Be capable of holding or containing;
This box won't take all the items
The flask holds one gallon
Incorporate
Corporate; incorporated; made one body, or united in one body; associated; mixed together; combined; embodied.
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and mindsHad been incorporate.
A fifteenth part of silver incorporate with gold.
Contain
Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of;
Arrest the downward trend
Check the growth of communism in Sout East Asia
Contain the rebel movement
Turn back the tide of communism
Incorporate
To form into a body; to combine, as different ingredients, into one consistent mass.
By your leaves, you shall not stay alone,Till holy church incorporate two in one.
Incorporate
To unite with a material body; to give a material form to; to embody.
The idolaters, who worshiped their images as gods, supposed some spirit to be incorporated therein.
Incorporate
To unite with, or introduce into, a mass already formed; as, to incorporate copper with silver; - used with with and into.
Incorporate
To unite intimately; to blend; to assimilate; to combine into a structure or organization, whether material or mental; as, to incorporate provinces into the realm; to incorporate another's ideas into one's work.
The Romans did not subdue a country to put the inhabitants to fire and sword, but to incorporate them into their own community.
Incorporate
To form into a legal body, or body politic; to constitute into a corporation recognized by law, with special functions, rights, duties and liabilities; as, to incorporate a bank, a railroad company, a city or town, etc.
Incorporate
To unite in one body so as to make a part of it; to be mixed or blended; - usually followed by with.
Painters' colors and ashes do better incorporate will oil.
He never suffers wrong so long to grow,And to incorporate with right so farAs it might come to seem the same in show.
Incorporate
Make into a whole or make part of a whole;
She incorporated his suggestions into her proposal
Incorporate
Include or contain; have as a component;
A totally new idea is comprised in this paper
The record contains many old songs from the 1930's
Incorporate
Form a corporation
Incorporate
Unite or merge with something already in existence;
Incorporate this document with those pertaining to the same case
Incorporate
Formed or united into a whole
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to contain something?
To contain something means to have it within limits or boundaries.
Can ideas be contained?
Ideas can be contained within a work or discussion, implying they are confined to a specific context.
How does incorporate differ from contain?
Incorporate involves integration or inclusion into a larger whole, whereas contain refers to holding something within limits.
Can a company be contained?
A company can't be "contained" in the sense of physical boundaries, but its activities can be contained within legal or ethical limits.
Is incorporation only for businesses?
No, incorporation can also refer to integrating any element, such as ideas or technologies, into a larger structure.
What is an example of containment in nature?
A lake contains water within its shores, illustrating physical containment.
What does it mean to incorporate a business?
To incorporate a business means to legally formalize it as a corporation, making it a distinct legal entity.
Can an individual incorporate?
An individual can incorporate a business or enterprise, making it a legal entity.
Is incorporation a complex process?
Yes, especially in a legal or business context, it involves specific legal requirements and procedures.
Can emotions be incorporated?
Emotions themselves aren't typically incorporated, but they can influence how elements are integrated into artistic or creative works.
Does contain have a positive or negative connotation?
It can have either, depending on context; containing a threat is positive, while being contained can be restrictive.
How does containment relate to control?
Containment implies control or restraint, often to prevent something from spreading or exceeding limits.
How does technology incorporation affect businesses?
It integrates new technologies into existing processes, potentially enhancing efficiency and capabilities.
What's the significance of incorporating safety measures?
It means formally including safety protocols into procedures or designs, enhancing safety.
Can a city incorporate land?
Yes, a city can incorporate land, officially bringing it within its jurisdictional boundaries.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
