Definition

Noun: A large, rigid container, typically made of wood, used for packing goods to protect them during shipment or for storing them securely.

Usage

A "packing case" is a specific type of container designed for durability and protection. It is used when items need to be transported over long distances or stored for extended periods. The term emphasizes the container's primary function: to pack items for a specific purpose (shipment/storage).

Examples

• The fragile china was carefully placed inside a sturdy packing case before being sent overseas.
• We found some old books stored in a packing case in the attic.
• The museum artifacts were transported in custom-built packing cases.

Advanced Usage

• "To crate something up": This phrasal verb is often synonymous with packing items into a packing case.
  • We need to crate up the remaining inventory.
• The term can be used metaphorically to describe something very large, bulky, or crudely constructed.
  • His first computer was an absolute packing case, but it got the job done.

Variants and Related Words

• Crate (noun): A very close synonym. While all packing cases are crates, not all crates are necessarily used for packing (e.g., a crate for carrying bottles).
• Shipping container (noun): A much larger, standardized metal box used for intermodal freight transport.
• Packing box (noun): A more general term that can refer to smaller containers, often made of cardboard.

Synonyms

• Crate
• Box (when large and sturdy)
• Container

Antonyms

• Unpacked items
• Loose goods

Noun

1. a large crate in which goods are packed for shipment or storage