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; see cartoon

Explanation

A carton is a cardboard box or package. A pint of cream often comes in a carton. There are many different kinds of cartons, but most of them are packaging for some kind of consumer product, particularly food. There are egg cartons, milk cartons, and cigarette cartons, all of which are different shapes and made out of slightly different types of paperboard or lightweight cardboard. Carton has its root in the Medieval Latin word carta, "paper."

Example Sentences

Mr. Carton, 55, whose 2013 autobiography was titled “Loudmouth,” is best known for a high-wire broadcasting style that dances around sports and lingers on mischief, controversy and “locker-room talk.”

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2024

In October, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred noted on FS1’s “The Carton Show” that he saw ABS in the big leagues as a matter of when, not if.

From Washington Times • Jan. 13, 2023

In June, a Presbyterian minister in County Antrim - Rev Ian Carton - stood down over that church's decision to deny same-sex couples full membership.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2021

Performed with close-harmony precision by L.A.’s Milk Carton Kids, this dead-on Simon & Garfunkel rip lays out the plight of kids who grow up sibling-less in New York with older parents.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2021

The Carton family never saw her cry, not even when her parents died, never heard a word of complaint from her.

From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• container
• crate
• packet