container

noun con·tain·er \ kən-ˈtā-nər \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Examples: container in a Sentence

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

Now, our jaws our dropping over another unique Texas retreat for visitors: A shipping container hotel.

— perri ormont blumberg, Southern Living, "You've Got to See This Shipping Container Hotel in Round Top, Texas," 4 June 2018
The second phase of the port's development, which is slated to feature further container terminals, is only expected to become operational between 2025 and 2030.

— eoghan macguire, CNN, "Can Duqm become the Arab world's next 'great city?'," 3 June 2018
Transfer berries to a freezer container or freezer-safe plastic bag.

— darlene zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, "Make a salsa with strawberries instead of tomatoes," 2 June 2018
To help people dispose of syringes more safely, the library has installed sharps containers in most bathrooms.

— abby lynes, OregonLive.com, "Librarians emerge as unlikely players in battle against opioid epidemic," 1 June 2018
The train was a mile long and stacked double high with 40-foot containers.

— porter fox, Outside Online, "Exploring America's Forgotten Border," 1 June 2018
Pour through strainer into storage container; discard flowers.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Former waitresses' 'lazy' strawberry pie wins 'Waitress the musical' contest," 1 June 2018
Port workers help guide a container vessel into the dock at Berbera.

— matina stevis-gridneff, WSJ, "Middle East Power Struggle Plays Out on New Stage," 1 June 2018
With Nokia technology professionals, the interns are developing robots that can lift and move containers around shipping or rail yards and load them onto truck chassis.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "High-tech incubator in Naperville offering student summer camps, plans to open in September," 1 June 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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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