contain and control share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. contain means “include or contain; have as a component”. control means “power to direct or determine”. control is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/kənˈteɪn/
1.v.include or contain; have as a component
“A totally new idea is comprised in this paper”
2.v.contain or hold; have within
“The jar carries wine”
3.v.lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
“moderate your alcohol intake”
/kənˈtɹoʊl/
1.n.power to direct or determine
“under control”
2.n.a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or group) by another
“measures for the control of disease”
3.n.(physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc
“the timing and control of his movements were unimpaired”
| contain | control | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /kənˈteɪn/ | /kənˈtɹoʊl/ |
| Said | kuhn-TAYN | kuhn-TROHL |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 7 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 6 | 20 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | incorporate, comprise | none recorded |
Full entry for contain · Full entry for control · More comparisons