Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to seal the container

to seal the container

1 1.9
Close something tightly so nothing can get in or out
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : sellar el contenedor
  • a tightly sealed container
  • store in a sealed container
  • refrigerate in a sealed container

Examples

  • Mary sealed the container in which the PCR amplification was happening and wrote her signature on the seal.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Fresh fish keeps one to two days in the fridge, or you can freeze it in a tightly sealed container for about four to five months.

    Blog text (32)

  • She pulled out the swab, immediately transferred it to a sterile container, sealed it, then labeled the container, and said, "OK, that's all I need."

    Fiction book (2002)

  • To keep the food fresh, make sure to seal the container tightly after each use.

  • After filling the jars, seal the container securely to prevent air from getting in.

  • To maintain flavor, you should seal the container as soon as possible.

Synonyms

to shut
vsto seal the container
∞ 1.0

To close something so it is not open

adds the idea of making the container tight against entry or escape
to seal
vsto seal the container
457 2.5

To close something tightly to stop air or water getting in

is the specific instruction to tightly close a container against escape
to lock in
vsto seal the container
70 3.9

To keep something inside so it cannot escape by closing or locking

emphasizes tight closure against leaks more than long term confinement
to encase
vsto seal the container
34 4.9

To cover something completely so nothing can get in or out

is a narrower action focused on closing a container opening tightly
to close off
vsto seal the container
24 3.9

Stop people or vehicles from entering a place

targets preventing entry or escape from a container rather than access control
to pack
vsto seal the container
23 4.5

To fill a joint or gap with material to stop leaks

is the simpler act of tightly closing a container without added packing
to close up
vsto seal the container
15 3.7

To bring the edges of something together so there is no gap

focuses on making a container tight rather than just closing edges
to occlude
vsto seal the container
  • Specialized
5 8.4

Block an opening to stop the flow of liquid or air

is the everyday instruction to tightly close a container against leaks
to lid
vsto seal the container
4 3.9

To put a top on something to close and protect it

stresses making the container airtight rather than merely covering it
to seal off
vsto seal the container
3 3.7

Close something tightly so nothing can get in or out

is about tightly closing a single container rather than a larger area
to stopper
vsto seal the container
1 4.1

To close a container by putting something in its opening

uses a wider range of methods to make the container leakproof
to stopple
vsto seal the container
  • Archaic
9.9

To close a bottle or jar with a small plug

covers all tight closing methods beyond just using a plug
to bung
vsto seal the container
9.3

To close a container by putting a plug in its opening

is broader, allowing many closing methods not limited to a plug
to cork up
vsto seal the container
4.9

Close a bottle by putting a plug into its opening

is the general act of tightly closing any container, not just bottles
to lute
vsto seal the container
  • Specialized
9.9

To cover a joint or container with material so it does not leak

is the simple act of closing, not necessarily using a sealing compound

Antonyms

to open up
64 2.5

Make something not closed, for example by removing a lock or cover

to unseal
20 4.3

To open something by breaking or removing a seal

How Sealed

to seal the container
1 1.9
shut
74 1.0

Surface Forms

seal the container infinitive
sealed the container past
sealed the container past participle
sealing the container present participle
seals the container third person singular

Morphology

seal + the + container

The meaning 'to close a container tightly so that nothing can enter or escape' is directly and compositionally derived from 'seal' (to make airtight/watertight) plus 'container' (a receptacle). The determiner 'the' does not alter the semantic composition, and this verb + object pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand the phrase.

Etymology

Seal the container comes from the simple image of putting a tight lid, cork, or tape on a jar or box so nothing can get in or out. So, to seal a container today means 'to close a container tightly so that nothing can enter or escape'.