comprehend

UK: /ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd/ US: /ˌkɑmprɪˈhɛnd/ ,(kom′pri hend′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•pre•hend /ˌkɑmprɪˈhɛnd/   v. [~ + object]

1. to understand the nature or meaning of;
   grasp with the mind;
   perceive:
   I could hear what he was saying but I couldn't comprehend it.

com•pre•hend•i•ble, adj. 
com•pre•hend•ing•ly, adv. See -prehend-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•pre•hend  (kom′pri hend′), v.t. 

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.

• Latin comprehendere, equivalent. to com- com- + prehendere to grasp; see prehensile
• Middle English comprehenden 1350–1400

com′pre•hend′er, n. 
com′pre•hend′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. See know ¹.
• 2. See include. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

comprehend / ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd/ verb

1. to perceive or understand
2. (transitive) to comprise or embrace; include

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin comprehendere, from prehendere to seize