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

Recent noise mitigation measures by Red Dog, such as shrouding the shipping container in green shrink wrap, have muffled the sound, but not enough to keep it from creeping into the house.

From Washington Post • Mar. 18, 2022

A winter freeze in Texas earlier this year curtailed the production of resin, a raw ingredient in plastic straws and packaging materials like shrink wrap.

From New York Times • Dec. 21, 2021

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

A shirtless Mick Jagger, relaxing poolside in Clearwater, Fla., in 1965, intently studies the back cover of Bob Dylan’s then-new “Bringing It All Back Home” album, still in the shrink wrap.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2015