pertain

verb

pər-ˈtān How to pronounce pertain (audio)
Definition of pertainnext
1
as in to belong
to be the property of a person or group of persons the belief that quality medical care is a right that pertains to everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to relate
to have a relation or connection a person who is an expert in anything pertaining to the history of the American theater

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pertain The district has not confirmed nor denied previous reporting from WSOC-TV that the investigation pertained to contracts with some of Hill’s former colleagues. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026 The restrictions pertain to parking lanes, curb lanes, and partial travel lanes to assist with the buildout and breakdown of the event, according to a city news release. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 There is no similar law that pertains to private school operators in Wisconsin. — Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 17 Aug. 2026 The state charges pertain to the killing itself, as well as firearms offenses. — Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertain
  1. belong
  2. relate
  3. apply
  4. refer
Verb
  • For decades, the idea of a robot working inside an operating room belonged more to science fiction than medicine.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • These connections form an invisible architecture of care and belonging.
    — PhotoVogue, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of belong
Verb
  • Neiman speculates that polyploidy and the snail’s unusual reproductive strategies are related.
    — Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Though theories implicated everyone from rival rapper Biggie Smalls to Knight’s wife Sharitha — neither of whom was ever charged in connection with the murder — investigators long suspected the killing was gang-related.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • Fall Cool-season grasses benefit most from fertilizer applied in the fall.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Contrary to popular belief, applying ice or using a tourniquet can worsen the effects of a venomous snakebite by slowing blood flow.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • The Department of Homeland Security referred questions about third-country agreements to the State Department, which did not respond to a request for comment.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • He was later referred for reconstructive surgery related to his multiple facial injuries, which included fractures of the eye and jaw bones and nose, according to the complaint.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of refer

Phrases Containing pertain

Browse Nearby Words

pert
pertain
pertained
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Pertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertain. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All