\ ˈkrāt 
\
\Definition of crate
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : an open box of wooden slats or a usually wooden protective case or framework for shipping
a packing crate a crate of oranges The barn was fuller of furnishings than the house, with barrels and tubs and crates and sacks piled on top of one another …— Eudora Weltz
2 : a usually box-shaped container or cage that has openings for airflow and that is used for confining or carrying animals (such as dogs or cats)
The store carries a variety of pet crates. Teach children to let resting dogs lie and to stay out of dog crates, beds and other resting places that are designated for the dog.— John Elder
3 informal + somewhat old-fashioned : a dilapidated old car or airplane
George Bernard's most immediate concern is not the war, but his failing car battery. He can hardly get his old crate cranked up, and a new battery costs $300 …— Phil McCombs From Blake: "I am not sure this crate will fly. Dump everything out." … In our compartment Doug yanks up his bombing sight, opens the floor hatch and tosses it.— Williamson Murray
crate
verbcrated; crating; crates
Definition of crate (Entry 2 of 2)
: to pack or place in a crate
crating items for shipping Of course the ideal answer would seem to be to crate the dog. But with so many cars now being overly small, there may be no way to get a crate into a vehicle.— Eleanor Price
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Examples of crate in a Sentence
Noun
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. Verb
The equipment was crated today and will be shipped tomorrow.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Secure pets in a room behind a closed door or in a crate.
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Traci Howerton, NOLA.com, "When it's time to countdown to 2021, count the pets out of the celebration," 22 Dec. 2020 And in the trust’s nursery behind their building, rows of western Joshua tree seedlings are held close together like eggs in a crate.
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Miles W. Griffis, Vogue, "Joshua Tree National Park Is More Popular Than Ever—But Its Namesake Trees Are Facing Extinction," 18 Dec. 2020 One serval kitten in a crate appeared lethargic, with watery eyes and diarrhea.
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Animals, "The black-market trade in wildlife has moved online, and the deluge is 'dizzying'," 18 Dec. 2020 Osprey relies on crate engines from General Motors, but GM's warehouse workers were on volunteer status this spring, and Osprey struggled to get parts.
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Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, "What We Learned in 2020: Lessons from Around the Auto Industry," 31 Dec. 2020 At home, place the crate in an area where there's lots of family activity.
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Star Tribune, "Tips on providing best crate for a pup," 20 Nov. 2020 En route to the scene, officers saw an SUV in the area of New Bay Bridge Road at Butt Street with a dog crate inside.
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William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, "Mobile men arrested on dogfighting charges," 26 Oct. 2020 Contemplating his choices Washington was seen brooding on a crate near a fire.
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James Freeman, WSJ, "Christmases Past and Future," 24 Dec. 2020 Once his large metal crate was safely on board, Kaavan was provided with in-flight snacks — 440 pounds of them — for the seven-hour journey.
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NBC News, "'World's loneliest elephant' Kavaan arrives in Cambodia with help from Cher," 30 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Wingshooters at the end of the day often gather around the truck to case the guns and crate the dogs.
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Field & Stream, "Five Reasons to bring DISH Outdoors On Your Next Hunting or Fishing Trip," 30 July 2020 For more information, the Humane Society has a very helpful guide to crate training.
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Medea Giordano, Wired, "Best Pet Supplies and Tips for Newly Adopted Cats and Dogs," 4 June 2020 However, some homeowners prefer a wood dog crate for in the house, using it both as a decoration and a place to crate their dog.
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The Editors, Field & Stream, "Three Keys to Selecting a Dog Kennel," 8 Apr. 2020 Wire crates are the most popular type of home crate for those who crate train their dog.
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The Editors, Field & Stream, "Three Keys to Selecting a Dog Kennel," 8 Apr. 2020 Next, the engine is balanced, then crated up and sent over to PMC to be installed in a car.
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Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "1,200 uncomfortable miles in a gorgeous Acura NSX hybrid supercar," 12 Mar. 2020 Bandelettes crated a solution by developing thigh bands that prevent that painful summer chafing.
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Kate Tully Ellsworth, USA TODAY, "25 brands and products you love that were invented by women," 6 Mar. 2020 Each time a reaction is performed, there are nearly infinite ways for particular reagents—substances or compounds added to a system to crate a reaction—to assemble.
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Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, "Mad Scientists Are Using Crystals to Generate Random Numbers," 19 Feb. 2020 As fighting intensified, the Germans dismantled the room and crated it up.
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Washington Post, "In 1997, Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum was stuck in amber," 11 Jan. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for crate
crate
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of crate
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
crate
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of crate (Entry 2 of 2)
: to pack (something) in a crate
See the full definition for crate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
crate
noun\ ˈkrāt \
\Kids Definition of crate
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a box or frame of wooden slats or boards for holding and protecting something in shipment
crate
verbcrated; crating
Kids Definition of crate (Entry 2 of 2)
: to pack in a wooden box or frame
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Comments on crate
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Time Traveler for crate
The first known use of crate was in 1738
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