container
UK /kənˈteɪ.nə/ · US /kənˈteɪ.nəɹ/ noun
Forms containers
- noun An item in which objects, materials or data can be stored or transported.
- noun (transport) A very large, typically metal, box used for transporting goods.
- noun (by extension) Someone who holds people in their seats or in a (reasonably) calm state.
- noun (file format) A file format that can hold various types of data.
- noun (object-oriented programming) An abstract data type whose instances are collections of other objects.
- noun (graphical user interface) Any user interface component that can hold further (child) components.
- noun (Java programming language) A web container.
- noun (cloud computing) A bundle consisting of operating system, application code and dependencies to be run sandboxed inside a virtualized environment; (by extension) the environment itself.
Synonyms
cargo container shipping container container format software container receptacle
Etymology
From Middle English conteiner, equivalent to contain + -er.
Webster’s 1913
- noun One who, or that which, contains.
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “container”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details