# jQuery.contains()

## jQuery.contains ( container, contained ) Returns: Boolean version added: 1.4

- container
  Type: Element
  The DOM element that may contain the other element.

- contained
  Type: Element
  The DOM element that may be contained by (a descendant of) the other element.

Description: Check to see if a DOM element is a descendant of another DOM element.

The `$.contains()` method returns `true` if the DOM element provided by the second argument is a descendant of the DOM element provided by the first argument, whether it is a direct child or nested more deeply. Otherwise, it returns `false`. Only element nodes are supported; if the second argument is a text or comment node, `$.contains()` will return `false`.

Note: The first argument must be a DOM element, not a jQuery object or plain JavaScript object.

## Examples:

#### Example: Check if an element is a descendant of another.

    $.contains( document.documentElement, document.body ); // true
    $.contains( document.body, document.documentElement ); // false