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

Travel records also showed that the defendants traveled to the Dominican Republic three days before the shipping container was intercepted. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026

Inside the container were the badly decomposed remains of an infant. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026

Just ensure your containers have drainage holes to prevent water from collecting at the bottom of them. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026

The golden share requires ZIM to keep 11 container vessels available for state use in emergencies, such as the Israel-Hamas war. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 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)