include

American  

[in-klood] / ɪnˈklud /

verb (used with object)

included, including

1. to contain, as a whole does parts or any part or element.

   The so-called “complete breakfast” in this ad included juice, milk, cereal, toast, eggs, and bacon.

   The anniversary edition of the game will include the expansion packs and DLC.

   Synonyms:

   embody

   Antonyms:

   omit, exclude

2. to place in an aggregate, class, category, or the like: Hawks and eagles are included in the family “Accipitridae.”

   Please include me in any future discussions.

   Hawks and eagles are included in the family “Accipitridae.”

3. to contain as a subordinate element; involve as a factor: Schooling should include friendship, fun, and laughter, in addition to rigorous study.

   Our comprehensive approach to health includes such aspects as resilience, resources, and quality of life.

   Schooling should include friendship, fun, and laughter, in addition to rigorous study.

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include British  

/ ɪnˈkluːd /

verb

1. to have as contents or part of the contents; be made up of or contain

2. to add as part of something else; put in as part of a set, group, or category

3. to contain as a secondary or minor ingredient or element

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Related Words

Include, comprehend, comprise, embrace imply containing parts of a whole. To include is to contain as a part or member, or among the parts and members, of a whole: The list includes many new names. To comprehend is to have within the limits, scope, or range of references, as either a part or the whole number of items concerned: The plan comprehends several projects. To comprise is to consist of, as the various parts serving to make up the whole: This genus comprises 50 species. Embrace emphasizes the extent or assortment of that which is included: The report embraces a great variety of subjects.

Other Word Forms

• includable adjective
• includible adjective
• preinclude verb (used with object)
• reinclude verb (used with object)
• unincludable adjective
• unincludible adjective

Etymology

Origin of include

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin inclūdere “to shut in,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -clūdere, combining form of claudere “to shut”; cf. close

Explanation

The verb include means to consider as a part of something. A list of your favorite things may include chocolate and friends. The verb include also means adding something (or someone) to a category or group. Once you try bungee jumping, you might want to include, or add, that to your list of favorite things. You may be forced to include your little sister in your party if your parents insist.

Example Sentences

You must include maintenance fees, home and mortgage insurance and property taxes in your budget as ongoing housing costs.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Joshua and Davy married at the brewery where they first met and started a family that would grow to include two sons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The new edition of “Survivor” will be published Sept. 1 and will include Butler’s short story “A Necessary Being,” the only short fiction set in the Patternist universe.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

These include health data, including your heart rate and heart rate variability, blood oxygen, sweat and stress levels, behavioral patterns, neurological changes and even brain waves.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

There was one rule about the field guide: We had to see the specimen with our own eyes to include it.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• add
• build
• carry
• combine
• comprise
• consist of
• cover
• encompass
• enter
• have
• hold
• incorporate
• introduce
• receive