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

He reaches for his carton of milk — it’s empty.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

With reasonably priced additions like fresh onion and panko crumbs, Syd’s Hamburger Helper effort doesn’t taste like it came out of a carton.

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2025

And the price spikes to £2 a carton could, with for example better weather, simply reverse.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

I don’t know what I was thinking next, but I ran into the kitchen and grabbed a carton of eggs.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Related Words

• container
• crate
• packet