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

As nervous US military hawks have pointed out, if Chancay can accommodate ultra-large container vessels, it can also handle Chinese warships.

From BBC

A TEU is a unit of measurement based on the volume of a standard shipping container, and loaded imports and exports refers to cargo containers that are filled with goods.

From Los Angeles Times

The newlyweds moved into the park, making do in a shipping container that housed a bathroom and two military surplus cots.

From Los Angeles Times

The Carson site may lend itself best to warehouses, which are always in demand around the nearby Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere, Gundersheim said.

From Los Angeles Times

DP World, the owner of P&O Ferries, announced its much anticipated £1bn plan to make London Gateway "Britain's largest container port".

From BBC

Related Words

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