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

See Examples For:

shrink-wrap shrink-wrapped shrink-wrapping

Some, including an “8 Mile” promo sampler and a Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Aaliyah EP, are still sealed in the original shrink-wrap.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 20, 2022

Many still package their bottles with common shrink-wrap seals, despite the ease with which such closures can be faked.

From New York Times ● Jan. 6, 2022

The scaffolding went up first, then in May this year, the shrink-wrap followed.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2021

It came with liner notes, slim booklets on high-end stationery, which smelled good when you took the shrink-wrap off.

From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2018

“They only have one left!” he gushed, tearing off the cellophane shrink-wrap and prying open the lid.

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

Long before Christmas turkeys arrived shrink-wrapped in the shops, they walked to market on their own two feet.

From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2025

Okay, now it got real,’” Arcement’s wife Nerina Garcia-Arcement said of the six pallet-loads of shrink-wrapped boxes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025

Where the sick and the poor are offered faux solutions, shrink-wrapped in words like “balanced” and “approved.”

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2025

“I lost all my Smiths records, the mintiest, shrink-wrapped, original version of Slayer, ‘Reign in Blood,‘” he recalled mournfully.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2025

We sat in the cab of his dad’s dump truck and tore open the bags: beef stew, applesauce, shrink-wrapped crackers, little packets of strawberry jam, iced-tea mix, and hot chocolate.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

Seal these rifts with puttylike rope caulk and begin shrink-wrapping before winter’s icy grip takes hold.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2023

The title and Ma’s name are ruffled too, as if the author herself were shrink-wrapping delicious pleasure into a denatured product.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2022

Opening the shrink-wrapping meant the customer accepted the agreement.

From Economist ● Jun. 19, 2017

Inventory was moved over the course of several weeks by shrink-wrapping the shelves and wheeling them down the street on dollies, said David Brooks, 62, the owner.

From New York Times ● Mar. 28, 2017

Mr. Mannion said the alternatives included shrink-wrapping or Heli-Cells—inflatable climate-controlled canopies originally developed to protect expensive classic cars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2016