crate

[kreyt]

noun

1. a slatted wooden box or framework for packing, shopping, or storing fruit, furniture, glassware, crockery, etc.

2. any completely enclosed boxlike packing or shipping case.

3. Informal.,  something rickety and dilapidated, especially an automobile.

   They're still driving around in the old crate they bought 20 years ago.

4. a quantity, especially of fruit, that is often packed in a crate approximately 2 × 1 × 1 foot (0.6 × 0.3 × 0.3 meters).

   a crate of oranges.

verb (used with object)

crated, crating 

1. to pack in a crate.

crate

/ kreɪt /

noun

1. a fairly large container, usually made of wooden slats or wickerwork, used for packing, storing, or transporting goods

2. slang,  an old car, aeroplane, etc

verb

1. (tr) to pack or place in a crate

Other Word Forms

• recrate verb (used with object)
• uncrate verb (used with object)
• uncrated adjective
• crater noun
• crateful noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crate¹

1350–1400; 1915–20 crate for def. 3; Middle English, obscurely akin to Latin crātis wickerwork, hurdle

Word History and Origins

Origin of crate¹

C16: from Latin crātis wickerwork, hurdle

Example Sentences

In the morning, the sidewalk and pavement along Naomi Avenue are littered with crates of discarded melons, tomatoes and other overripe fruit, creating an ugly sight and putrid odor.

From Los Angeles Times

Members of the Long Beach Police and Fire departments used boats to help corral the giant shipping crates.

From Los Angeles Times

To successfully draw enemy fire, it helps to faithfully recreate a real position complete with wheel ruts, ammunition crates and toilets.

From BBC

"Mango diplomacy" is a familiar phrase across the subcontinent, where carefully chosen crates of the fruit can grease political deals, strengthen alliances or smooth over tense negotiations.

From BBC

They worked six days a week for minimum wage — $1.40 an hour at the time — and earned a nickel for every crate filled with about 30 to 36 cantaloupes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• box 
• cage 
• carton