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 port

      a container ship

Word History and Origins

Origin of container¹

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

Example Sentences

Shipping containers were being placed as barriers across major roads in the capital in anticipation of the protesters' arrival.

Read more on Barron's

However, Mr Pöntynen added that it would be difficult fitting the rotors to container ships which use every available space.

Read more on BBC

In one video, filmed on 8 October, cockroaches can be seen in a driver's food container in the rest area.

Read more on BBC

Back in Japan, a cyber-attack paralysed operations at a container terminal in the city of Nagoya for three days in 2024.

Read more on BBC

These mosquitoes are highly adapted to urban environments and breed in small containers of stagnant water commonly found around homes, such as flower pots, discarded tires, and buckets.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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