What does crate mean?
A crate is a robust, usually rectangular container with slatted sides, traditionally made of wood but now also commonly moulded from plastic. Crates are designed to protect and transport bulky goods — produce, bottles, machinery, livestock — and their open structure allows contents to be inspected and ventilated while remaining secure. In commercial settings, the word also functions as an informal unit of quantity: a 'crate' of beer, eggs, or milk refers to the packed contents rather than merely the box. As a verb, to crate something means to pack it into such a container, a term especially familiar from shipping and animal transport. Beyond its practical sense, the word carries cultural resonance: reclaimed wooden crates are widely repurposed as shelving, tables, and décor, lending the word a rustic, artisanal connotation. Etymologically, 'crate' derives from Latin 'cratis,' meaning a lattice or wickerwork, which also gives us words like 'grate.'
A slatted wooden or plastic container used for packing, storing, or transporting goods.
"They unpacked the wine from its straw-lined crate."
Often used informally to denote a fixed quantity of bottled or packaged goods.
To pack or enclose something in a crate.
"The team crated the sculpture before loading it onto the ship."
Standard pluralization by adding -s.
"The warehouse held hundreds of empty crates."
The word 'crate' shares its ancient root with 'create' — both trace back to Latin 'creare,' meaning to bring forth or produce.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of crate
Crate entered English in the late Middle Ages, borrowed from Dutch 'krat' or Low German, which in turn derive from Latin 'cratis,' meaning wickerwork or a woven hurdle. This Latin root connects crate to related English words such as 'grate' and 'grid' through the notion of latticed structures. Originally denoting a basket-like woven container, the word shifted toward slatted wooden boxes as shipping practices evolved.
How crate is actually used
In everyday use, 'crate' often connotes rustic, industrial, or vintage aesthetics — wooden crates are repurposed as furniture. As a measure of quantity ('a crate of beer'), it is common informal British English. The verb form is less frequent but standard in logistics contexts.
Easily confused with crate
A crate is a container for goods, while a crater is a large bowl-shaped depression in the ground or on a celestial body.
As a verb, 'to crate' means to pack something into a crate; the noun is the box itself.