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

“As the tube and the Internet shrink-wrap the globe, international news coverage grows more crucial — and complicated,” Orange County Register, May 9, 1999.

From Slate • Oct. 2, 2024

Instead of shrink-wrap, the album sleeves will be 100% recycled and re-usable.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2024

Yep, those same chocolate-coated creams, nuts and caramels that were encased in snowflake-festooned shrink-wrap now reside inside a Valentine’s Day-themed box.

From Washington Post • Feb. 2, 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

“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