carton

American  

[kahr-tn] / ˈkɑr tn /

noun

• cartons
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• uncartoned
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cartons
  plural

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

See Examples For:

carton cartons

Once in the U.S., an associate then distributes the packages inside the carton.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Instead, Luke loads up on protein — including nearly a carton of eggs to himself every morning for breakfast.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

A few pounds of tomatoes, a carton of eggs or a bottle of cooking oil can consume a week’s wages.

From Salon ● Apr. 11, 2026

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

He held up an empty milk carton with the top cut off.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor

Patz was the first missing child to be featured on milk cartons as part of a nationwide search.

From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026

Influencers in cowboy hats chugged cartons of milk.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

The plant makes tissues, printer paper, cups, plates, cartons, and other goods, according to CBS, the BBC's US partner.

From BBC ● May 26, 2026

Deborah Oyaleke was sent into a large freezer room to verify cartons of frozen fish.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026

That was two years ago, in third grade, when me and Sneaky snuck into the cafeteria to get extra chocolate milk cartons.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

Related Words

• container
• crate
• packet