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

Police said he is also accused of having an open container with an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026

He was charged with impaired, negligent and careless driving and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026

More than 20 live flies landed on sweet potatoes inside a container outside the walk-in cooler. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026

The main house was constructed from three standard 20-ft (6 m) containers, plus another that's double that length. —Adam Williams april 05, New Atlas, 5 Apr. 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)