include

verb

in·​clude in-ˈklüd How to pronounce include (audio)
included; including
Synonyms of include

transitive verb

1
: to take in or comprise as a part of a whole or group
The price of dinner includes dessert.
He doesn't want to be included in the project.
2
: to contain between or within
two sides and the included angle
3
: to shut up : enclose
includable adjective
or includible
in-ˈklü-də-bəl How to pronounce include (audio)

Synonyms of include

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include, comprehend, embrace, involve mean to contain within as part of the whole.

include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole.

the price of dinner includes dessert

comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition.

his system comprehends all history

embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole.

her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs

involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence.

the new job involves a lot of detail

Examples of include in a Sentence

The speakers will include several experts on the subject. The price of dinner includes dessert. Admission to the museum is included in the tour package. The results came in too late for us to include them in the study.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
While Morin’s lab is based at Mississippi State, the team working on the ground in Connecticut this summer includes researchers and undergraduate students hired from around the county. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 Capricorn December 22 – January 19 A bigger plan can work when your foundation is included. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026 In June, the defense argued that Murdaugh couldn’t get an impartial trial in the 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Colleton County, partly because of heavy case publicity. — Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 The new safeguards include requiring law enforcement to label every search with a with a criminal case number, and instituting an automatic review for abnormal search activities, which will trigger proactive lockouts for those users. — Soo Youn, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for include

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin includere, from in- + claudere to close — more at close entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of include was in the 15th century

Rhymes for include

See All Rhymes for include

Browse Nearby Words

includable
include
included phloem
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Include.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/include. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

include

verb
in·​clude in-ˈklüd How to pronounce include (audio)
included; including
: to take in or have as part of a whole or group
the recipe included many ingredients
includable adjective
or includible
-ˈklüd-ə-bəl How to pronounce include (audio)

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