Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The state of being contented; satisfaction.
  • noun A source of satisfaction.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun That degree of happiness which consists in being satisfied with present conditions; a quiet, uncomplaining, satisfied mind; content.
  • noun Gratification, or means of gratification; satisfaction.
  • noun Synonyms Contentment, Satisfaction. Contentment is passive; satisfaction is active. The former is the feeling of one who does not needlessly pine after what is beyond his reach, nor fret at the hardship of his condition; the latter describes the mental condition of one who has all he desires, and feels pleasure in the contemplation of his situation. A needy man may be contented, but can hardly be satisfied. See satisfy, happiness.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The state of being contented or satisfied; content.
  • noun The act or process of contenting or satisfying.
  • noun obsolete Gratification; pleasure; satisfaction.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun the state or degree of being contented
  • noun happiness in one's situation; satisfaction
  • noun the neurophysiological experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situation, body, and/or mind.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun happiness with one's situation in life

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

French contentement; as content + -ment.

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Examples

  • The spectacle of an entire nation groveling in contentment is an infuriating thing …

    Humor 2007

  • The spectacle of an entire nation groveling in contentment is an infuriating thing …

    Humor 2007

  • The spectacle of an entire nation groveling in contentment is an infuriating thing.

    Mark Twain in The Atlantic 2007

  • The spectacle of an entire nation groveling in contentment is an infuriating thing.

    Mark Twain in The Atlantic 2007

  • The spectacle of an entire nation groveling in contentment is an infuriating thing …

    Humor 2007

  • Godliness with contentment is great gain/those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare/into foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in perdition.

    CANTICLES • by K.C. Ball 2009

  • Generally, I think that a key to success/happiness/contentment is to take care of yourself.

    Warm Fuzzy Wednesday « Looking for Roots 2009

  • Jennifer looked satisfied and glanced at me with an expression of contentment.

    Raven V.C Andrews 2011

  • Jennifer looked satisfied and glanced at me with an expression of contentment.

    Raven V.C Andrews 2011

  • Perhaps the word contentment summed up my feelings

    Country diary: Loch Farr 2010

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