carton

noun car·ton \ ˈkär-tᵊn \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of carton

: a box or container usually made of cardboard and often of corrugated cardboard

several cartons of books

See carton defined for English-language learners

See carton defined for kids

Examples of carton in a Sentence

She got a carton of ice cream out of the freezer.
a carton of orange juice
He bought a carton of cigarettes.
Several cartons of books arrived yesterday.

Recent Examples of carton from the Web

Theft, Cedar Road: An unknown man stole a carton of cigarettes from True North Shell April 3 and fled on foot.

— andy attina / cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Man says he was shot during attempted robbery: South Euclid Police Blotter," 11 Apr. 2018
Fears about letting kids make their own way date at least in part to cases like Etan Patz, who was among the first missing children pictured on milk cartons after disappearing on his walk to a New York City bus stop alone in 1979.

— lindsay whitehurst, The Christian Science Monitor, "Utah's 'free-range' parenting law sparks interest across the country," 10 Apr. 2018
Consumers can identify recalled products by checking the logo on the lower left corner on the front of the carton.

— lindsey murray, Good Housekeeping, "ALERT: Bayer Recalls Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine," 19 Mar. 2018
The child told Shrednick that Stadler helped her open her milk carton.

— alec johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lake Country School janitor named finalist for Janitor of the Year," 19 Mar. 2018
In 2016, Vann threw a carton full of urine and feces at an officer who brought him food, records show.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Judge decides subpoenas in death penalty case of Darren Deon Vann are not 'overly broad'," 17 Mar. 2018
One was adorned in a milk carton bearing Messer's picture.

— robert king, Indianapolis Star, "Attacks, laser focus and 'career' politicians: Indiana's GOP Senate debate had it all," 20 Feb. 2018
The novel, by Ian McEwan, was published in 1987, a period of generalized paranoia about child abductions, exemplified by missing kids on milk cartons.

— john anderson, WSJ, "‘The Child in Time’ Review: The Trauma of the Missing," 29 Mar. 2018
Entry was also made into a locked office, where several cartons of cigarettes were stolen.

— andy attina / cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Suspects steal $2,500 worth of cigarettes from Highland Food Mart: Richmond Heights Police Blotter," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carton.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of carton

French, from Italian cartone pasteboard

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1825

See Words from the same year

carton

verb

Definition of carton

transitive verb

: to pack or enclose in a carton

intransitive verb

: to shape cartons from cardboard sheets

Recent Examples of carton from the Web

Put that bottle down and grab a box, can or carton of wine for your cooler.

— mary orlin, The Mercury News, "Picnic perfect: The 11 best box or canned wines," 20 May 2017

First Known Use of carton

1921

CARTON Defined for English Language Learners

carton

noun

Definition of carton for English Language Learners

: a light box or container usually made of cardboard or plastic
: a box containing things that have been packed together so they can be sold or moved

CARTON Defined for Kids

carton

noun car·ton \ ˈkär-tᵊn \

Definition of carton for Students

: a cardboard container

Learn More about carton

See words that rhyme with carton Spanish Central: Translation of carton Nglish: Translation of carton for Spanish speakers

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carton

Definition of carton

Examples of carton in a Sentence

Recent Examples of carton from the Web

Origin and Etymology of carton

carton

Definition of carton

Recent Examples of carton from the Web

First Known Use of carton

CARTON Defined for English Language Learners

carton

Definition of carton for English Language Learners

CARTON Defined for Kids

carton

Definition of carton for Students

Learn More about carton

Seen and Heard

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