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 of container

• bin
• holder
• bag
• receptacle
• vessel
• box
• bottle

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

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo received a citation for possessing an open container in a moving vehicle in connection with his arrest in Wisconsin last week. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 29 July 2026

However, nearly half a million container units moved through the authority’s Savannah terminals in June. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 29 July 2026

Brent crude recently surpassed $100 a barrel amid severe disruptions in key shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz and threats to the Bab el-Mandeb, impacting global oil and container traffic. — Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

The American Kennel Club said these scents can be hidden in different places, including a container, like a box or briefcase, on or inside an object either outside or inside, or even buried in a container underneath sand or in water. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 July 2026

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)