containment
UK: kənˈteɪnmənt | US: kənˈteɪnmənt
n. the action of keeping something harmful under control or within limits
n. (political) a strategy to prevent the expansion of a hostile power or ideology
n. (environmental) the process of preventing the spread of contaminants
containment = contain<hold> + ment<noun suffix>
- contain: From Latin continēre ("to hold together"), combining con-<together> + tenēre<hold>.
- ment: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action or resulting state (e.g., government, achievement).
Etymology Origin:
The word containment emerged in the early 17th century, rooted in the Latin continēre ("to hold together"). The prefix con- emphasizes unity, while tenēre (to hold) appears in words like tenant and maintain. The suffix -ment (from Latin -mentum) was added to nominalize the verb contain, creating a term for the act of restraining or enclosing. Its political usage (e.g., Cold War "containment policy") reflects metaphorical expansion of the core idea—holding threats within boundaries.
The containment of the oil spill required immediate action.
During the Cold War, the U.S. adopted a policy of containment against communism.
The lab uses special barriers for the containment of hazardous materials.
Effective fire containment saved nearby homes.
Environmentalists praised the containment measures for the toxic waste leak.