container

noun

con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce container (audio)
: 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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for three days. Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025 Plastic containers in particular pose of risk of melting and even leaking potentially harmful chemicals into your food if heated. Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025 If needed, drape a lightweight covering of newspaper, cardboard, or burlap over the storage containers to block out light and keep the potatoes from turning green. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025 By then, Hezbollah had entered the cocaine trade, especially in the Netherlands, whose vast port in Rotterdam, with its endless shipping containers, offered a reliable way to sneak drugs into Europe. Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for container

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of container was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Container.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/container. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

container

noun
con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce container (audio)
: one that contains
especially : something into which other things can be put (as for storage)

More from Merriam-Webster on container

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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