plural crates
1
a
: a large wooden or plastic box used for moving things from one place to another
The bear arrived at the zoo in a crate.
packing/shipping crates
crates of apples/equipment
b
: a metal or plastic container that is used to hold bottles
Each milk crate holds nine bottles.
c
: the amount of something contained in a crate
They used a crate of oranges to make enough juice for everyone.
2
old-fashioned
: an old car or airplane that is in bad condition
One day the old crate just wouldn't start.
crates; crated; crating
: to pack (something) in a crate
The equipment was crated today and will be shipped tomorrow.
—often + upThe bear was crated up and shipped to the zoo.
Cite this Entry
“Crate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/crate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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