A container is an object designed to hold other things. Lunch boxes, backpacks, jars, bottles, boxes, and bowls are all containers. The word comes from the verb contain, which means to hold something inside.

Containers come in countless shapes and sizes depending on what they need to hold. A water bottle contains liquids without spilling. A pencil case contains school supplies. A shipping container (those massive metal boxes you see stacked on cargo ships and trains) can hold furniture, electronics, or thousands of other items as they travel around the world.

Scientists and engineers often use container to describe anything that holds something else in place. A test tube is a container for chemicals. In computer programming, a container is a way to package software so it runs the same way on any computer. In cooking, you might store leftovers in plastic containers or glass containers.

When you're organizing your desk or your room, you're essentially deciding which containers will hold which items. The right container keeps things protected, sorted, and easy to find when you need them.