container

noun

con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce container (audio)
: one that contains: such as
a
: a receptacle (such as a box or jar) for holding goods
b
: a portable compartment in which freight is placed (as on a train or ship) for convenience of movement
containerless adjective

Examples of container in a Sentence

The tea leaves come in a small metal container. bowls, boxes, jars, and other containers The shipment of tools arrived at the dock in cargo containers yesterday.
Recent Examples on the Web Refresh your outdoor space with a colorful container garden. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2024 Expired food, container with rodent droppings among violations at Phoenix-area restaurants Both Schultz and her daughter-in-law went down the slide one at a time. Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Opt for storing items in glass containers, paper or cloth bags, or other non-plastics. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024 No matter your game plan for the day, be sure to brush up on what you’re allowed — and not allowed (glass containers, plastic bags) — to bring on the beach. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2024 Then put the plant back into the container and water well. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 And even today, with the consumer banking operation in a building in Little Rock, the loan aspect of the company remains in that shipping container, a familiar touchstone to the community. Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Since August, Pyongyang has shipped about 6,700 containers to Russia, which could accommodate more than 3 million rounds of 152 mm artillery shells or more than 500,000 rounds of 122 mm multiple rocket launchers, according to Shin’s ministry. Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 Fire department spokesman Paul Garcia said crews recently received an emergency call that led them to an undocumented person who was living in a storage container and experiencing a heart attack. Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'container.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conteyner, from conteynen "to contain" + -er -er entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of container was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near container

Cite this Entry

“Container.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/container. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

container

noun
con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce container (audio)
: one that contains
especially : something into which other things can be put (as for storage)

More from Merriam-Webster on container

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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