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

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

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

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