container
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for container, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An object, such as a box, jar, or bottle, used for holding or storing something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use container
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English conteyner — contain + the agent suffix -er.
Full origin of container →Frequently asked questions
What does “container” mean?
The word “container” means an object, such as a box, jar, or bottle, used for holding or storing something. In plain terms, something built to hold other things inside it, whether it is a lunchbox, a shipping crate, or a piece of software.
How do you pronounce “container”?
“Container” is pronounced kuhn-TAY-nuh (/kənˈteɪ.nəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “container” in a sentence?
Here is “container” used in a sentence: “She poured the leftover soup into a plastic container.”
What is another word for “container”?
Words with a similar meaning to “container” include receptacle.
What part of speech is “container”?
“Container” is a noun.
Where does the word “container” come from?
The word “container” comes from Middle English. From Middle English conteyner — contain + the agent suffix -er.
Is “container” a common word?
“Container” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “container” have?
“Container” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an object, such as a box, jar, or bottle, used for holding or storing something.
What is the difference between a container and a receptacle?
Both mean an object that holds or stores something, but "container" is the everyday word for boxes, jars, and bottles, while "receptacle" is more formal and often names something items are put into, such as a litter receptacle. In North American technical usage, "receptacle" can also mean an electrical outlet, a sense "container" never has.
What is a container in shipping?
A shipping container is a large standardized metal box used to transport goods by ship, rail, or truck. Because the sizes are standardized, the same sealed container can move between different transport modes without its contents being repacked, which is the basis of modern intermodal freight.
What is a container in computing?
In computing, a container is a lightweight, self-contained package of software together with everything it needs to run — code, libraries, and settings — executing in an isolated environment. Containers, popularized by tools such as Docker, let the same application run consistently on different machines.
What is the difference between a container and a virtual machine?
Both isolate software, but a virtual machine emulates an entire computer with its own operating system, while a container shares the host machine's operating-system kernel and packages only the application and its dependencies. Containers are therefore much smaller and faster to start, whereas virtual machines provide stronger, fuller isolation.