# carton

/ˈkɑɹtən/ (US) · /kˈɑːtən/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carton
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a light box or container made of cardboard or plastic. You usually use it to hold food or drinks like milk, juice, or eggs.

For teachers: a container made of waxed paper, cardboard, or plastic, typically used for packaging food or liquids. Often refers to the specific volume of the contents rather than just the vessel.

## Examples

- I bought a carton of milk at the shop.
- Please remember to put the empty juice carton in the recycling bin once you finish it.
- The dairy industry transitioned from glass bottles to plastic-coated cartons to reduce weight and shipping costs, though this shift introduced new challenges for local recycling facilities.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the partitive construction 'a carton of [liquid/food]'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.