self-contained

American  

[self-kuhn-teynd, self-] / ˈsɛlf kənˈteɪnd, ˌsɛlf- /

adjective

1. containing in oneself or itself all that is necessary; independent.

2. reserved or uncommunicative.

3. self-controlled or self-possessed.

4. (of a machine or mechanism) complete in itself.

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self-contained British  

adjective

1. containing within itself all parts necessary for completeness

2. (of a flat) having its own kitchen, bathroom, and lavatory not shared by others and usually having its own entrance

3. able or tending to keep one's feelings, thoughts, etc, to oneself; reserved

4. able to control one's feelings or emotions in the presence of others

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Other Word Forms

• self-containedly adverb
• self-containedness noun

Etymology

Origin of self-contained

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

This idea of self-contained escape has become a defining feature of recent travel patterns, with short domestic breaks offering a controlled and often more affordable alternative to longer holidays abroad.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

A detached four-car garage, accessed via a sweeping motorcourt, completes the property’s self-contained layout.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

Nintendo games, by contrast, tend to be self-contained.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

The module can be controlled and monitored without physical cables, functioning as a self-contained unit.

From Science Daily • Jan. 19, 2026

There are six self-contained learning communities in our wing of the building—children with various conditions, from preschoolers to kids who ought to be in high school by now.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• autonomous
• self-governing
• self-sufficient
• self-supporting