carton

American  

[kahr-tn] / ˈkɑr tn /

noun

1. a cardboard or plastic box used typically for storage or shipping.

2. the amount a carton can hold.

3. the contents of a carton.

4. a cardboardlike substance consisting of chewed plant material often mixed with soil, made by certain insects for building nests.

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verb (used with object)

1. to pack in a carton.

   to carton eggs for supermarket sales.

verb (used without object)

1. to make or form cardboard sheets into cartons.

carton British  

/ ˈkɑːtən /

noun

1. a cardboard box for containing goods

2. a container of waxed paper or plastic in which liquids, such as milk, are sold

3. shooting

   1. a white disc at the centre of a target

   2. a shot that hits this disc

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verb

1. to enclose (goods) in a carton

Other Word Forms

• uncartoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of carton

1780–90; < French < Italian cartone pasteboard; cartoon

Example Sentences

But according to the CPI, the average price of a carton of large Grade A eggs has fallen 48%.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

In updated guidelines for the Truth in Recycling law, recycling rates for carton material have fallen below the state threshold.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

Only five years ago, a typical supermarket own-label carton of orange juice could be bought for 76p for 1 litre.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

Although she claims that Cam is her favorite kid, she only half-listens to him when he says he’s headed to boot camp, instructing him to return home with a carton of milk.

From Salon • Oct. 10, 2025

Beyond the front of the truck, in the driveway, I saw her mother holding a cardboard carton under one arm and pulling at the minivan door with the other.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

Related Words

• container
• crate
• packet