container

noun con·tain·er \ kən-ˈtā-nər \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 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

In fact, an MB Public Affairs study found that banning styrofoam in food service and drink containers in New York City would equate to a 94% tax.

— camille harmer, Fortune, "How Banning Plastic Straws Could Make Pollution Even Worse," 12 July 2018
Shatynski grows rhubarb, chili peppers and olive trees in containers.

— dawn standke, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Tally up your garden’s earth friendliness," 12 July 2018
However, Del Monte Fresh already voluntarily recalled those products—6 oz., 12 oz., and 28 oz., veggie trays sold in clear plastic containers—as of June 15.

— sarah jacoby, SELF, "Here Are the Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis, the Illness Linked to Recalled Vegetable Trays," 9 July 2018
The native mosquito assassin is a predatory fly that breeds in the same habitat as pest mosquitoes, namely in natural and artificial containers.

— kaila contreras, Houston Chronicle, "Harris County breeds carnivorous plants, mosquito assassins to limit mosquito population," 7 July 2018
The team in the booth was very accommodating to our request to split the bowl in two containers.

— alex kiesig, idahostatesman, "'I love this city': Eat your way through the Capital City Public Market," 6 July 2018
Rey, 36, was charged last September after he was found with his daughters, a toddler and infant, at the Lenexa storage facility where police discovered Jessica Monteiro Rey's body parts in several containers.

— tony rizzo, kansascity, "Man found in Lenexa with wife's dismembered body is competent for trial," 3 July 2018
Solve both problems by dividing your leftovers into single-serve portions and freezing them in storage containers or bags, suggests Molly Devine, RD, founder of Eat Your Keto and advisor to KetoLogic.

— krissy brady, Health.com, "9 Ways to Make Healthier Food Choices—Even When You're Exhausted," 21 June 2018
Please bring your own containers or boxes to take your berries home.

— annie alleman, Post-Tribune, "Berries are ripe for the picking at Northwest Indiana farms," 6 July 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