wadah

Wadah is an Indonesian and Malay noun meaning container, receptacle, or vessel. It refers to an object designed to hold contents, often used for storage, transport, or display. In everyday language, wadah commonly denotes kitchen and household containers such as food boxes, bottles, jars, and packaging.

The term is also used metaphorically to mean a space or vehicle for activities, ideas, or groups. Examples include wadah diskusi (a discussion forum) and wadah seni (an arts platform), where the emphasis is on providing an environment that accommodates and channels specific activities or expressions.

Common physical wadah are made from plastic, glass, or metal, and may include specialized forms for food safety and preservation. In commerce, wadah refers to packaging that protects a product and communicates its brand.

Etymology: wadah is a native Indonesian/Malay word with uncertain historical origins; it is generally treated as a basic term for container usage in contemporary language.

See also: container, packaging, platform.