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

• 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 food containers are all decorated with whimsical illustrations, and the bag even features a crossword puzzle with McDonaldland trivia. —Erin Clements, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

In a blender container combine ice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lime juice. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2025

Coaching staff found football training equipment, shoulder pads and 60 helmets missing from the storage container outside of the Park District community center at 13800 South Trumbull Ave. —Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Each container comes with a lid that has a silicone sealing ring around the perimeter and a sealed air hole to keep everything fresh. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025

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)