carton

1 of 2

noun

car·​ton ˈkär-tᵊn 

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

several cartons of books

carton

2 of 2

verb

cartoned; cartoning; cartons

transitive verb

: to pack or enclose in a carton

intransitive verb

: to shape cartons from cardboard sheets

Examples of carton in a Sentence

Noun

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 on the Web

Noun

The lower box, which takes up most of the carton's side, has an 89-word message that makes the case that most people want their governments to take climate action and that doing so could lead to political wins. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

This welfare certification stamp on cartons indicates that egg producers meet strict standards established by the Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) organization. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 2026

Instead, Luke loads up on protein — including nearly a carton of eggs to himself every morning for breakfast. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Bravin said the deaf community is often not able to hear announcements at food pantries for potential rules or limitations like one carton of eggs or one loaf of bread being allowed on that day. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian cartone pasteboard

First Known Use

Noun

1906, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for carton

• garten
• marten
• parton
• spartan
• tartan
• kindergarten

Kids Definition

carton

noun

car·​ton

ˈkärt-ᵊn

: a paperboard box or container

Etymology

Noun

from French carton "cardboard box," from Italian cartone "pasteboard," from carta "sheet of paper," from Latin charta "piece of papyrus" — related to card entry 3, cartoon