crate
- a slatted wooden box or framework for packing, shopping, or storing fruit, furniture, glassware, crockery, etc.
- any completely enclosed boxlike packing or shipping case.
- Informal. something rickety and dilapidated, especially an automobile: They're still driving around in the old crate they bought 20 years ago.
- 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.
- to pack in a crate.
Origin of crate
Related Words for crating
wrap, pack, bin, crate, crib, wallet, sheath, integument, receptacle, compact, casket, baggage, wrapper, chest, chamber, folder, carton, grip, shell, cartridgeExamples from the Web for crating
Historical Examples of crating
Gathering, bundling, crating, and shipping are all to be watched carefully.
Agriculture for BeginnersCharles William Burkett
"I guess we'll be crating from now till tonight without a stop," he said unhappily.
Starman's QuestRobert Silverberg
It can be used for crating and for partitions and other purposes in loading the car.
Canada West 1914Unknown
Through the transparent walls he could see the staff packing the records, crating them for shipment.
Planet of the DamnedHarry Harrison
Ten million feet of lumber were used, chiefly in boxing and crating, as very little wood is now used in the reaper.
InventorsPhilip Gengembre Hubert
crate
- a fairly large container, usually made of wooden slats or wickerwork, used for packing, storing, or transporting goods
- slang an old car, aeroplane, etc
- (tr) to pack or place in a crate
Word Origin for crate
Word Origin and History for crating
crate
"large box," 1680s, earlier "hurdle, grillwork" (late 14c.), from Latin cratis "wickerwork, lattice, kitchen-rack," or from Dutch krat "basket;" both perhaps from a common PIE root *kert- "to turn, entwine" (see hurdle (n.)).
crate
"to put in a crate," 1871, from crate (n.). Related: Crated; crating.