What does "including" mean?
present participle and gerund of include
Including
/ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/ prep, verb
prep, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: present participle and gerund of include
- Grammar: including is listed as prep, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: added to, along with, as well as, assimilating.
- Useful contrasts: exclusive, exclusive event, exclusive term.
- Usage evidence: An astute reader should be willing to weigh everything they read, including anonymous sources.
How to use "including"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "including" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "including" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "including" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "including" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "including" is acting as prep, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "added to" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "including", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 present participle and gerund of include form-of, gerund, participle, present
Preposition
- 1 Such as, among which; introducing one or more parts of the group or topic just mentioned.
"All this has led to an explosion of protest across China, including among a middle class that has discovered nimbyism."
- 2 Introducing a finite clause. nonstandard, rare
"I have always argued that it is one that deserves a thorough-going policy review, which might come to all sorts of conclusions, including it is doing what the Government of the day wants it to."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"An astute reader should be willing to weigh everything they read, including anonymous sources."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "including"?
Common synonyms include: added to, along with, as well as, assimilating, attended by, cite.
How do you use "including" in a sentence?
An astute reader should be willing to weigh everything they read, including anonymous sources.
How do you pronounce "including"?
Pronounced /ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/.
Etymology
By surface analysis, include + -ing.