container

noun con·tain·er \ kən-ˈtā-nər \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of container

: 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

play \kən-ˈtā-nər-ləs\ adjective

See container defined for English-language learners

See container defined for kids

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 of container from the Web

In the carport was a blue plastic container that held seven dead puppies that were just four weeks old.

— christopher harress, AL.com, "Major lower Alabama bust arrests 20 drug dealers," 11 Apr. 2018
The necropsy results, released last week, listed just some of the items scientists found stuck in its stomach and intestines: plastic bags, pieces of net, a plastic water container.

— andrea diaz, CNN, "A sperm whale that washed up on a beach in Spain had 64 pounds of plastic and waste in its stomach," 11 Apr. 2018
The challenge in efforts like this is obtaining a container.

— samantha melamed, Philly.com, "How Philly's discarded shoes are saving lives in Haiti and Africa," 10 Apr. 2018
One by one, a member of each team had to eat a single serve container of ice cream before running an obstacle course.

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "It's a Girl! Pregnant Jinger Duggar and Husband Jeremy Vuolo Learn the Sex of Their Baby," 9 Apr. 2018
Mini frittatas Whisk egg with cheese and veggies in a container like a ramekin or small baking dish that will fit in the compartment.

— NBC News, "8 meals you didn't know you could cook in an air fryer," 6 Apr. 2018
Responding officers found a small container with a pink eraser and geo-caching sign-in sheet inside the base.

— andy attina / cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Woman takes back her vehicle from repo driver: Highland Heights Police Blotter," 4 Apr. 2018
The westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near Interstate 435 closed Wednesday afternoon after a shipping container overturned on the highway.

— glenn e. rice and robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "Overturned shipping container on I-70 near stadium causes traffic delays | The Kansas City Star," 4 Apr. 2018
After removal, keep tick in a sealed container with a moist paper towel and contact the health department for assistance regarding tick identification.

— susan bromley, Detroit Free Press, "These Michigan counties are most at risk for Lyme disease," 3 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of container

15th century

container Synonyms

Synonyms

holder, receptacle, vessel;

Related Words

carrier;

cartridge;

basket, bin, box, caddy, carton, case, casket, crate, handbasket, locker, trunk;

bag, hamper, pocket, sack;

cooler, warmer;

basin, bottle, bowl, bucket, can, jar, jug, keg, kettle, kit, pack, pail, pitcher, pot, tub, vat;

CONTAINER Defined for English Language Learners

container

noun

Definition of container for English Language Learners

: an object (such as a box or can) that can hold something
: a large box that goods are placed in so that they can be moved from one place to another on a ship, airplane, train, or truck