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

Make it ahead and keep in the refrigerator until ready to rise and bake, or complete the recipe through baking and store in an air-tight container until brunch. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026

Within the zones, penalties for violations such as open container possession, public urination, public smoking and excessive noise would increase. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Mar. 2026

Hall County Sheriff Gerald Jay Couch faces charges of DUI, failure to maintain lane and open container. —Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 28 Feb. 2026

Feed container gardens with a liquid fertilizer or slow-release product. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 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)