Comprehend definition

kŏmprĭ-hĕnd

Words form:

Frequency:

To grasp mentally; understand.

verb

To take in the meaning, nature, or importance of; grasp.

verb

To include; take in; comprise.

verb

To have as part of something larger; encompass or include.

verb

To understand or grasp fully and thoroughly. [from 14th c.]

verb

The definition of comprehend means to understand the meaning or to include someone or something as a part.

Knowing what someone is talking about is an example of to comprehend.

Adding extra information to a report is an example of to comprehend.

verb

(now rare) To include, comprise; to contain. [from 14th c.]

verb

Origin of comprehend

Middle English comprehenden from Latin comprehendere com- com- prehendere to grasp ghend- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin comprehendere (“to grasp”), from the prefix com-, + prehendere (“to seize”).

From Wiktionary