carton

American  

[kahr-tn] / ˈkɑr tn /

noun

1. a cardboard or plastic box used typically for storage or shipping.

2. the amount a carton can hold.

3. the contents of a carton.

4. a cardboardlike substance consisting of chewed plant material often mixed with soil, made by certain insects for building nests.

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verb (used with object)

1. to pack in a carton.

   to carton eggs for supermarket sales.

verb (used without object)

1. to make or form cardboard sheets into cartons.

carton British  

/ ˈkɑːtən /

noun

1. a cardboard box for containing goods

2. a container of waxed paper or plastic in which liquids, such as milk, are sold

3. shooting

   1. a white disc at the centre of a target

   2. a shot that hits this disc

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verb

1. to enclose (goods) in a carton

Other Word Forms

• uncartoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of carton

1780–90; < French < Italian cartone pasteboard; cartoon

Example Sentences

Reports on abysmally low rates of recycling for milk cartons and polystyrene had been widely shared even before that.

From Los Angeles Times

At the site of the strike, items from the shop such as cartons of yoghurt and bottles of fizzy drinks were buried among the debris, along with household items including children's clothes and toys.

From BBC

Beyond the front of the truck, in the driveway, I saw her mother holding a cardboard carton under one arm and pulling at the minivan door with the other.

From Literature

She pulled a carton of eggs from the fridge.

From Literature

But according to the CPI, the average price of a carton of large Grade A eggs has fallen 48%.

From Barron's

Related Words

• container
• crate
• packet