crate

noun \ ˈkrāt \

|Updated on: 2 Aug 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

On Thursday morning, keepers carried his crate and gingerly lowered it onto the sand.

— christina tkacik, baltimoresun.com, "Free Marmalade: Harbor seal rescued by National Aquarium returned to seawater in Ocean City," 8 June 2018
Weekend watchmen were outwitted by thieves who drilled through the walls or otherwise broke into the storerooms to extricate prized crates of garlic worth thousands of dollars.

— sean patrick cooper, The New Republic, "Is America Ready for the Next Superstorm?," 4 June 2018
Within the shopping area lay seemingly endless amounts of vintage clothing, posters of mythical creatures, patches and buttons, old furniture and crates of old records.

— New York Times, "A $1,000 Day in Berlin for $100," 29 May 2018
That is what Espinoza did after moving his crate from room to room, eventually settling on the bedroom as the least obtrusive spot.

— michelle higgins, sacbee, "Limit the impact that dogs, cats unleash on orderliness | The Sacramento Bee," 25 May 2018
The Yorkshire side were seen celebrating wildly with their travelling fans after the full time whistle at Stamford Bridge, with crates of beer being carried into the away dressing room for the side to continue their celebrations.

— SI.com, "'They Want to Go By Coach': Huddersfield Cancelled Flight Home to Prolong EPL Survival Celebrations," 11 May 2018
The back of the car is loaded with crates of hot soup and containers brimming with rice and chicken.

— whitney eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, "Months after Maria, Puerto Ricans take recovery into their own hands," 7 May 2018
Fans devour more than 300 crates of mint during Kentucky Derby week, along with roughly 19,200 liters of Old Forester Mint Julep purchased in April and 232,000 pounds of crushed ice stored across the track.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Thousands of blooming flowers make Churchill Downs the world's 'most iconic race track'," 1 May 2018
The kelp grows attached to the lines under the water’s surface, with bags and crates of oysters and mussels and scallops hanging below the kelp.

— gregory b. hladky, courant.com, "Connecticut Kelp Farmer To Be Featured On '60 Minutes'," 27 Apr. 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