containers

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   More than one object, such as a box, bottle, or tin, used for holding or storing things.

   Grammar: Plural noun; use a plural verb, as in "The containers are on the shelf."

   Patterns

   • store something in containers
   • plastic containers
   • a set of containers

   She keeps flour and sugar in glass containers.

   Please put the leftovers in airtight containers.

   The kitchen shelves were filled with plastic containers of different sizes.

2. 2nounpluralbusiness

   Large standard metal boxes used for carrying goods by ship, train, or truck.

   Grammar: Plural; in this sense the word is common in business and transport contexts.

   Patterns

   • load containers onto something
   • ship containers
   • containers full of goods

   The port handles thousands of containers every day.

   Workers loaded the containers onto the ship.

   These containers are too heavy to move without a crane.

Word forms

Common combinations

plastic containers

We bought plastic containers to organize the toys.

shipping containers

The yard was full of shipping containers waiting for customs.

store something in containers

Farmers store grain in large metal containers.

airtight containers

Keep the coffee in airtight containers to protect the flavor.

a container of

He bought a container of milk on the way home.

Synonyms and how they differ

boxes

Usually smaller and often made of cardboard or wood; containers is wider and includes bottles, tins, and large metal units.

receptacles

A formal or technical word for things that hold other things; containers is the everyday choice.

Word family

container noun

one object used for holding things

contain verb

to have something inside or to hold something

containerize verb

to pack goods into large standard containers for transport

Commonly confused: containers or contents?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “containers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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