plural crates
1
a
: an open box typically of wooden slats or latticed plastic and used for transporting and storing goods
a crate of oranges
see also milk crate
b
: a usually wooden protective case or framework used for shipping
a packing crate
She purchased ten shipping crates made with wood edges and plastic-covered cardboard sides, all neatly broken down for easy assembly.—
Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy2
: 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
John Elder3
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
Phil McCombsFrom 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
Williamson Murray
crated; crating; crates
: 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
Eleanor PriceExamples 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Crate Cover This crate cover provides privacy, security and creates a cozy atmosphere to help reduce anxious behaviors like barking and chewing.
Crate Pad
This machine-washable crate pad functions as a mattress but can double as a dog bed.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
The couple’s dog was crated in a closet just a few feet away from Betsy.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crate
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Noun
The Roadrunner is built to be launched out of its own packing crate; before the test flight, the engineers placed one of those crates in the scrub, as tumbleweeds skittered by.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Crate Cover This crate cover provides privacy, security and creates a cozy atmosphere to help reduce anxious behaviors like barking and chewing.
Crate Pad
This machine-washable crate pad functions as a mattress but can double as a dog bed.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Verb
Some viewers were critical, questioning why pets were being crated at all.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
The couple’s dog was crated in a closet just a few feet away from Betsy.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crate
Cite this Entry
“Crate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crate. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crate
1 of 2 noun
: a box or frame of wooden slats or boards for packing or protecting something in shipment
crate
2 of 2 verb
crated; crating
: to pack in a crate
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