noun
Uncommon
crate
krayt
Crate (noun) means a large, sturdy box or open frame used to pack and transport goods. Example: “The workers stacked wooden crates of oranges onto the truck.”
noun
1
A large, sturdy box or open frame used to pack and transport goods.
"The workers stacked wooden crates of oranges onto the truck."
"She kept her old vinyl records in a plastic crate."
2
Informal: an old or unreliable vehicle.
"He joked that his first car was a rusty old crate held together with tape."
verb
1
To pack something into a crate for storage or shipping.
"They crated the antique mirror carefully before the move."
How to use crate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sturdy box for shipping or storing things, or (informally) a beat-up vehicle.
Common pairings
a wooden crate
crate of beer
crate up
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Word forms
- Plural
- crates
- Third person singular
- crates
- Past tense
- crated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The workers stacked wooden _____ of oranges onto the truck.
Etymology
From Dutch krat, "large box" or "basket" — related to the English word cart.
Related words
Rhymes for crate
See all rhymes for crate →Frequently asked questions
What does “crate” mean?
The word “crate” means a large, sturdy box or open frame used to pack and transport goods. In plain terms, a sturdy box for shipping or storing things, or (informally) a beat-up vehicle.
How do you pronounce “crate”?
“Crate” is pronounced krayt (/kɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “crate” in a sentence?
Here is “crate” used in a sentence: “The workers stacked wooden crates of oranges onto the truck.”
What part of speech is “crate”?
Depending on how it is used, “crate” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “crate” come from?
The word “crate” comes from Dutch. From Dutch krat, "large box" or "basket" — related to the English word cart.
Is “crate” a common word?
“Crate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crate” have?
“Crate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, sturdy box or open frame used to pack and transport goods.
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