shrink-wrap

American  

[shringk-rap] / ˈʃrɪŋkˌræp /

Also shrinkwrap,

verb (used with object)

shrink-wrapped, shrink-wrapping

1. to wrap and seal (a book, a food product, etc.) in a flexible film of plastic that, when exposed to a heating process, shrinks to the contour of the merchandise.

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noun

1. the plastic film used to shrink-wrap something.

shrink-wrap British  

verb

1. (tr) to package (a product) in a flexible plastic wrapping designed to shrink about its contours to protect and seal it

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Etymology

Origin of shrink-wrap

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Kohli tells BBC Newsbeat he still recalls the "burning smell" of the shrink wrap machine each store used to package up second-hand consoles for sale.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Many of the items, which also included limited-edition controllers, had never been taken out of their original shrink wrap.

From Fox News • Oct. 1, 2021

Engineers normally tasked with upkeeping conveyor belts instead started building dividers made from what they had at the time: PVC pipes and non-porous shrink wrap for winterizing boats.

From National Geographic • Feb. 8, 2021

He said he sometimes reviewed records without tearing off the shrink wrap and fabricated the release of albums as a hook to riff off his latest idea.

From Washington Post • Oct. 22, 2019

To receive radiation aimed at a tumor on one vertebra of her spine, Ms. Harrison had to be positioned on a mold fitted to her body and then further immobilized by shrink wrap.

From New York Times • Oct. 12, 2017