comprehend

[ kom-pri-hend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive:

   He did not comprehend the significance of the ambassador's remark.

2. to take in or embrace; include; comprise:

   The course will comprehend all facets of Japanese culture.

comprehend

/ ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd /

verb

1. to perceive or understand
2. tr to comprise or embrace; include

Other Words From

• compre·hender noun
• compre·hending·ly adverb
• noncom·pre·hending adjective
• noncom·pre·hending·ly adverb
• precom·pre·hend verb (used with object)
• self-compre·hending adjective
• uncom·pre·hended adjective
• uncom·pre·hending adjective
• uncom·pre·hending·ly adverb
• well-com·pre·hended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehend¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English comprehenden, from Latin comprehendere, from com- com- + prehendere “to seize” ( prehension )

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehend¹

C14: from Latin comprehendere, from prehendere to seize

Synonym Study

See include.

Example Sentences

"The biggest thing mainstream analysis refuses to comprehend is the continued power of a politics of racial grievance and religious nostalgia among white Christian Americans."

From Salon

The biggest thing mainstream analysis refuses to comprehend is the continued power of a politics of racial grievance and religious nostalgia among white Christian Americans.

From Salon

"The suffering the animals endured is sickening and sadistic; it's impossible to comprehend how anyone could find it enjoyable."

From BBC

Because light always shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never comprehend that.

From Los Angeles Times

For all our scientific and technological capacity, we simply have no way to comprehend how the climate crisis will damage human civilization over the long term.

From Salon

Related Words

• appreciate
• assimilate
• discern
• envision
• fathom
• grasp