container

noun

con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce container (audio)
: 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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cuter than a boxful of kittens, the electric minivan delivers a brace of thoughtful design features in addition to more smiles per kilowatt hour than a shipping container full of handshake buzzers. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024 His job on this day involves hauling containers from the congested TraPac terminal in the Port of Los Angeles to a storage yard near the port. Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024 Even tote your own container to restaurants for leftovers. Kristin Hostetter, Outside Online, 13 Nov. 2024 Make the soup as directed, cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for container 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conteyner, from conteynen "to contain" + -er -er entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of container was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near container

Cite this Entry

“Container.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/container. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

container

noun
con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce container (audio)
: one that contains
especially : something into which other things can be put (as for storage)

More from Merriam-Webster on container

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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