Containers

Many items that we buy come in containers. Containers may have a specific name depending on their shape and the material they are made of.

In this lesson, learn the vocabulary for various containers and click on each link to listen to the sound file. Below, find the same vocabulary with corresponding photos.

Theses are the names of some common materials used to make containers:

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Aluminum
Canvas
Cardboard
Ceramic
Metal
Paper
Plastic
Wood

Here are images that show different types of containers.

Bag / Sack – Bag and sack are synonyms.
Some regions of North America tend to use one term more than the other.
canvas carrying bag paper shopping bag plastic bag
 
bag of flour bag of compost  
 
 
Barrel
wood    
   
 
Basket – Baskets are often made from woven natural materials including
 grass, wood strips, and reeds. Now, many baskets are also made of plastic.
plastic grass wood strips
 
grocery basket laundry basket  
 
 
Bottle
glass wine bottle plastic water bottle plastic shampoo bottle
 
Box
cardboard box box of tissues box of matches
 
plastic box wooden box  
 
 
Bucket / Pail
plastic wood metal
 
 
Can – A can refers to a container made of metal. Some of these containers
are now made of plastic but they continue to be referred to as "cans."
garbage cans  
 
 
watering can gas can / container  
 
 
can of soda can of olives spray can
 
Carton (paper)
egg carton milk carton carton of cigarettes
 
 
Case
glasses case paint set case  
 
 
case of beer suitcase CD/DVD case
 
Chest
ice chest    
   
 
Crate
fruit crate vegetable crate  
   
 
Envelope
manila envelope letter envelope padded envelope
 
JarJars are only made of glass.
The difference between a bottle and a jar is a bottle has a small mouth.
Usually, the mouth of a jar is the same diameter as the jar itself.
jar of peanut butter glass jar storage jar
 
Jug
plastic (5 liter)    
   
 
Pack
pack of chewing gum pack of cigarettes  
   
 
Pitcher
ceramic glass plastic
 
Tray – Trays are usually shallow (sides not deep), flat, rectangular containers.
metal cooking tray aluminum cookie tray /
cookie sheet
plastic ice cube tray
 
 
wood serving tray plastic paper tray  
 
 
Tub
tub of ice cream    
   
 
TubeTubes are cylindrical and may open at both ends or just one end.
cardboard tube plastic tube of lotion metal toothpaste tube
 
Other containers
food storage containers trash receptacle /
container / can
 
 
 
container ship  

Other useful vocabulary: