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

The nano-container challenge The concept is promising, but sensitivity remains a major obstacle. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

Native Plant Sale Buy native plants to add to your garden or containers to create habitats for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

After some quality control checks, including researchers who examine mosquito sperm under a microscope to ensure those swimmers are dead in the water, they get packed into containers for release. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Last Wednesday, Castle Rock resident Evan Elmore says the bear had climbed inside a trash container when it was picked up and emptied into the back of the truck. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 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)