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

The list price rose 5% to $4,193 for a carton, or one month’s supply.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

The company decision means the number of Californians with access to beverage carton recycling falls below the threshold in the state’s “Truth in Recycling” law, or Senate Bill 343.

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

Next to him, he had an open carton of eggs, all new and freshly bought.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Related Words

• container
• crate
• packet