container

noun

con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər 

: one that contains: such as

a

: a receptacle (such as a box or jar) for holding goods

b

: a portable compartment in which freight is placed (as on a train or ship) for convenience of movement

containerless

kən-ˈtā-nər-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• holder
• receptacle
• vessel

Examples of container in a Sentence

The tea leaves come in a small metal container.

bowls, boxes, jars, and other containers

The shipment of tools arrived at the dock in cargo containers yesterday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Recipe Tips From The Southern Living Test Kitchen Store leftover muffins in airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 May 2025

Some of the trees are well over a century old, with many still cultivated in their original containers. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

Think about what your family will eat and opt for one large container of fruit but limit the rest. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 27 May 2025

Officers also allegedly saw a wine container in the passenger seat. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conteyner, from conteynen "to contain" + -er -er entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing container

• container port
• container ship

Rhymes for container

• abstainer
• campaigner
• complainer
• coplanar
• detainer
• maintainer
• nonplanar
• retainer
• sustainer
• entertainer
• gainer
• plainer

Kids Definition

container

noun

con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər 

: one that contains

especially : something into which other things can be put (as for storage)