container

noun

con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər 

: 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

kən-ˈtā-nər-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• bin
• holder
• bag
• receptacle
• vessel
• box
• bottle

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

Reports indicated empty alcohol containers were found in the Nissan. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025

The vintage milk bottle container is versatile! —L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025

When under-bed storage is a must, Jordan Winston, cofounder of Oxford Design in Tampa, looks to a bed skirt to camouflage any shoe organizers or containers for seasonal clothes that may be hiding under the bed. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2025

Use a shallower container so that the berries are not stacked too deep. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing container

• container port
• container ship

Rhymes for container

• abstainer
• campaigner
• complainer
• coplanar
• detainer
• maintainer
• nonplanar
• retainer
• sustainer
• entertainer
• gainer
• plainer

Kids Definition

container

noun

con·​tain·​er kən-ˈtā-nər 

: one that contains

especially : something into which other things can be put (as for storage)