container

[kuhn-tey-ner]

noun

1. anything that contains or can contain something, as a carton, box, crate, or can.

2. a large, vanlike, reuseable box for consolidating smaller crates or cartons into a single shipment, designed for easy and fast loading and unloading of freight.

container

/ kənˈteɪnə /

noun

1. an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc

2. 1. a large cargo-carrying standard-sized container that can be loaded from one mode of transport to another

   2. ( as modifier )

      a container port

      a container ship

Word History and Origins

Origin of container¹

1400–50 for an earlier sense; 1495–1505 container for def. 1; late Middle English conteiner; contain, -er ¹

Example Sentences

The inspections uncovered thousands of unlawfully disposed items, including pesticide containers with liquids, foams, baits, pellets and aerosol sprays.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Last week, many of the baby plants were laid out in rows in plastic containers in the land trust’s open-air nursery.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Each container is racking up $150–$200 in daily port charges, the group said, adding: "With thousands of containers stuck, the collective economic burden has become unbearable and continues to grow with each passing day."

Read more on Barron's

"We've got a constant flow of containers from China and we can negotiate very keen prices," he says.

Read more on BBC

Recent tariff schedule changes to the container infrastructure levy and vehicle booking system charges suggest another strong year of unit revenue growth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bag 
• bottle 
• bowl 
• box 
• bucket 
• can 
• canister 
• capsule 
• carton 
• crate 
• dish 
• jar 
• jug 
• kettle 
• package 
• packet 
• pail 
• pot 
• pouch 
• sack