crate

noun \ ˈkrāt \

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Examples: crate in a Sentence

Definition of crate

1 : an open box of wooden slats or a usually wooden protective case or framework for shipping

2 : jalopy

See crate defined for English-language learners

See crate defined for kids

Examples of crate in a Sentence

The bear arrived at the zoo in a crate.
Each milk crate holds nine bottles.
They used a crate of oranges to make enough juice for everyone.
One day the old crate just wouldn't start.

Recent Examples of crate from the Web

Finally, out of the crate, Merritt lifted Hootie, a somewhat battered but resilient stuffed owl from the early sixties, also clad in earth tones.

— john seabrook, The New Yorker, "Stephin Merritt Unpacks His Peripatetic Past," 11 June 2018
There’s usually a line, Mexicans and not, and eaters scattered everywhere—on the curb, on milk crates, on rickety chairs, or just standing around.

— gustavo arellano, Bon Appetit, "Alebrije’s Is My Taco Truck and Also My Office," 6 June 2018
The child's belongings were found next to the crate, along with old food on the floor.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Police: Crate with handcuffs in home of girl, 5, found dead in storage unit," 22 May 2018
Summer evenings pass in cheap apartments above shops, playing records on a machine bought at Vinnies and smoking on the roof, or in tiny paved back gardens, sitting on upturned milk crates between the back door and the dunny.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Walking Through the Past Into New Motherhood," 10 Apr. 2018
The puppy was also reportedly given food and water and was let out of the crate, according to CNN.

— sarah gray, Time, "Delta Mistakenly Flies Puppy Bound for Boise to Detroit, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City Instead," 20 Mar. 2018
Maybe putting a picture of the animal on the outside of the pen (instead of just paperwork, which is affixed on the outside of each crate).

— marlena baldacci and joe sterling, CNN, "Dog bound for Kansas mistakenly shipped to Japan via United Airlines," 14 Mar. 2018
Over a 10-day period, however, Micah maneuvered in and out of the crate and is doing very well.

— cathy m. rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, "Life on the streets for strays tough — especially when injured," 2 Feb. 2018
And in two cases, the students ventured outside the GM crate engine catalog.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "These clever students have turned the Camaro into a hybrid sports car," 25 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of crate

Middle English, from Latin cratis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

crate

verb

Definition of crate

crated; crating

transitive verb

: to pack in a crate

See crate defined for English-language learners

Examples of crate in a Sentence

The equipment was crated today and will be shipped tomorrow.

Recent Examples of crate from the Web

One theory holds that reducing stimuli at night might work, but she wasn't sold on the idea of crating him in the dark for hours.

— author: karin brulliard, Anchorage Daily News, "It’s a boy! Chicken owners face a dilemma when hens turn out to be roosters.," 19 June 2018
Fun flight, optimistic future Since being crated crazed Sophia, Jackie Evans let the boxer sit by her.

— amy mcrary, USA TODAY, "Puppy with anxiety gets special flight for canine therapy," 7 Mar. 2018
All four monuments are crated inside a city facility.

— kevin litten, NOLA.com, "Mitch Landrieu announces process for replacing Lee monument," 11 July 2017
So my son asked his sister to please crate the dog when his children (the 4-year-old and a 2-year-old) were to be in her home.

— amy dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Dog bite seems to hurt the whole family," 6 May 2018
Gradually expose it, crated, to unfamiliar environments, such as a car wash.

— susan glaser, cleveland.com, "Flying with Fido: On your next trip, maybe it's better to leave your pets at home," 26 Mar. 2018
One airline suggests crating it, putting the crate in your car, then driving through a carwash, to prepare for what the trip might be like.

— scott mccartney, WSJ, "On Your Next Trip, Leave the Pets at Home," 20 Mar. 2018
Once on the ground, the supplies were unloaded and the animals were crated, then carried on board and strapped into seats.

— petula dvorak, Washington Post, "A plane fills with pets devastated by Puerto Rico’s hurricane. Sad and funny all at once.," 22 Jan. 2018
On Sunday, 53 stray dogs were crated and transported via plane to New York City, where they were taken to Animal Haven, a no-kill shelter in Manhattan.

— saryn chorney, PEOPLE.com, "More Than 50 Dogs Rescued from Hurricane-Ravaged Puerto Rico Flown to N.Y.C. Adoption Event," 23 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of crate

1871

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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CRATE Defined for English Language Learners

crate

noun

Definition of crate for English Language Learners

: a large wooden or plastic box used for moving things from one place to another
: a metal or plastic container that is used to hold bottles
: the amount of something contained in a crate