container

[ kuhn-tey-ner ]

noun

1. anything that contains or can contain something, as a carton, box, crate, or can.
2. a large, vanlike, reuseable box for consolidating smaller crates or cartons into a single shipment, designed for easy and fast loading and unloading of freight.

container

/ kənˈteɪnə /

noun

1. an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc
2. 1. a large cargo-carrying standard-sized container that can be loaded from one mode of transport to another
   2. ( as modifier )

      a container ship

      a container port

Word History and Origins

Origin of container¹

1400–50 for an earlier sense; 1495–1505 container fordef 1; late Middle English conteiner; contain, -er ¹

Example Sentences

“We’re on the same page on that,” Bass said, suggesting the city could erect shipping containers or other modular units for more stable forms of housing rather than tent cities.

From Los Angeles Times

A major container shipping company has announced it will no longer use the Port of Felixstowe from next year.

From BBC

Instead, caterers typically deliver insulated boxes full of stainless steel containers, which then get rinsed out and returned at the end of the day.

From Salon

Finnish officials later said the incident had been caused by a Chinese container ship dragging its anchor.

From BBC

There are many restaurants that place their to-go orders in black plastic containers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bag
• bottle
• bowl
• box
• bucket
• can
• canister
• capsule
• carton
• crate
• dish
• jar
• jug
• kettle
• package
• packet
• pail
• pot
• pouch
• sack