container
container
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "container" is /kənˈteɪnər/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
kən:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ə/: Schwa (mid-central vowel)
/n/: Alveolar nasal
ˈteɪ:
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop
/eɪ/: Diphthong (as in "face")
nər:
/n/: Alveolar nasal
/ər/: R-colored schwa (as in "butter")
Word Form Variations
Container" is primarily a noun. Its related forms stem from the verb "contain."
Noun Forms:
Singular: container (e.g., "She put the food in a plastic container.")
Plural: containers (e.g., "The ship carried hundreds of shipping containers.")
Related Forms:
Verb: contain (e.g., "This box can contain up to 10 kg.")
Adjective: containment (e.g., "Disease containment efforts.")
Adjective: self-contained (e.g., "A self-contained apartment.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun Definitions
An object such as a box, bottle, or can that is used for holding or carrying something.
Synonyms: Receptacle, holder, vessel, package, canister, bin, carton
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a holding object; rather, the contents or emptiness)
A large, standardized metal box used for shipping goods by road, rail, or sea.
Synonyms: Shipping container, freight container, cargo container
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a shipping unit)
Examples of Use
Books
"He stored his most precious keepsakes in a sturdy wooden container hidden beneath the floorboards." (Common in adventure or mystery novels)
"The ship's manifest listed hundreds of intermodal containers, each filled with diverse goods." (From a non-fiction book about global trade)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"Scientists are developing new biodegradable containers to reduce plastic waste." (National Geographic)
"A lost shipping container filled with toys washed ashore on a remote island, baffling locals." (The Guardian)
"Meal prep trends emphasize using reusable food containers for convenience and sustainability." (Delish)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), the Ark of the Covenant is a mystical container sought by adventurers.
Television: "Contestants must identify the contents of the sealed container using only touch." (Heard on game shows or reality challenges)
Music: A band might refer to their tour bus as a "rolling container" for their gear and equipment.
Video Games: Many survival or crafting games require players to find or build containers to store their inventory items.
General Public Discourse
"Could you grab me a plastic container for these leftovers?" (Everyday request in a kitchen)
"The port is completely overwhelmed with the backlog of shipping containers." (Discussing global supply chain issues)
"Remember to bring your own reusable container for coffee to get a discount." (Advice for eco-friendly practices)
"Is this container microwave-safe?" (Common question about food storage)
10 Quotes Using Container
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled." (Plutarch) - This quote, while not directly using "container," contrasts the idea of the mind as an empty container with its true nature.
"The true value of a man is not in his possessions, but in his character." (Unknown) - This implies that material wealth is merely a container for something deeper.
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." (Leonardo da Vinci) - This often relates to design, where the form of the container should be simple.
"Knowledge is power." (Francis Bacon) - Often discussed in terms of how knowledge is stored and transmitted, making the mind a container.
"A book is a dream that you hold in your hand." (Neil Gaiman) - A book is a physical container for a narrative world.
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." (Albert Einstein) - This suggests that the universe itself is a grand container of mysteries.
"Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one." (Astrid Alauda) - This emphasizes the body as a precious container.
"Language is the container of thought." (Original)
"The future is an empty container; we fill it with our choices." (Original)
"A truly great idea needs no fancy container to shine." (Original)
Etymology
The word "container" comes from the Latin verb "continere," which meant "to hold together" or "to contain." This Latin word is formed from "con-" (meaning "together" or "thoroughly") and "tenere" (meaning "to hold"). You can see this "tenere" root in other words like "retain" and "tenant."
So, at its root, "container" is about something that holds things together or keeps them within its bounds.
The first known use of "container" in English, appearing around the mid-17th century, referred to a person who restrains or holds back. However, it quickly gained its current primary meaning of an object used for holding or storing something, becoming widely adopted in this sense by the 18th century, especially with the rise of industrialization and shipping.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Container
Shipping container: A large, standardized metal box used for transporting goods.
Example: "The port was stacked high with shipping containers."
Airtight container: A container that prevents air from entering or escaping, often used for food storage.
Example: "Keep the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh."
Child-resistant container: Packaging designed to be difficult for children to open.
Example: "Medicines should always be stored in a child-resistant container."
Waste container: A receptacle for trash or refuse.
Example: "Please put your recycling in the designated waste container."
Container ship: A cargo ship designed to carry large standardized containers.
Example: "A massive container ship blocked the canal for days."
Vessel of knowledge: (Using a synonym, meaning a person or thing that holds a great deal of information or wisdom).
Example: "The old librarian was a true vessel of knowledge."
Box of tricks: (An idiom referring to a set of clever methods or resources, like a container holding special tools).
Example: "The magician pulled out another trick from his box of tricks."
Hold one's thoughts: (Meaning to keep one's ideas or feelings contained).
Example: "She struggled to hold her thoughts together during the stressful presentation."
Encapsulate an idea: (To express the essential features of something in a concise way, as if putting it in a capsule or container).
Example: "His brief statement managed to encapsulate the entire idea."
Repository of memories: (An original phrase, referring to a place or thing that holds memories, like a container).
Example: "The old album was a repository of memories for the family."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of container from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
