Behältnis

Behältnis is a German noun meaning a container or vessel used to hold, store, or transport items or substances. It is usually used as a more formal or technical synonym of Behälter and appears in contexts ranging from household packaging to laboratory equipment and industrial logistics. The word stems from be- (a prefix related to enclosing) and halten (to hold).

A typical Behältnis can be made from glass, plastic, metal, or composite materials and includes items such as bottles, jars, cans, boxes, pouches, or bags. The essential features are that the contents are contained, protected, and can be transported or stored. In specific settings, additional requirements apply, such as seals, tamper-evident closures, labeling, or compatibility with stored substances (for example, food-grade materials or chemical-resistant materials).

Various types exist: rigid versus flexible; open versus closed; single-use versus reusable; portable versus fixed. Closures may be caps, lids, stoppers, or seals; some containers have inner linings or safety features to prevent leakage or contamination. In professional domains, compound terms such as Probenbehältnis (specimen container), Lagerbehältnis (storage container), or Versuchbehältnis (experimental container) are common.

If it's helpful to include a note on synonyms: The everyday term for a container is often Behälter, with Behältnis used more in formal, technical, or scientific language.