A bottle is a portable container with a neck and mouth for holding liquids, typically made of glass or plastic. It is a common form of beverage container, especially for beer, and it may also be used to hold milk or other formulas or as a container for intoxicants. The term can also refer to the contents of such a bottle: “She was drinking from the bottle.”
Glass is a material that forms when molten silica cools rapidly, often below its glass transition temperature, with insufficient time for crystalline order to form. The lack of internal structural boundaries allows the material to be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes, making it ideal for containers such as bottles, windows, cookware, and tableware. It is also highly transparent, making it useful for many applications such as light bulbs and optical fibers that underpin the Internet and mobile telecommunications systems.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most commonly used plastic for making bottles. It is an inexpensive, durable material that has a good moisture barrier and can be molded into bottles in a wide range of shapes and sizes. It is derived from petroleum, a naturally occurring liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth’s surface.
Other types of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are less expensive than PET, but are not as durable. PVC is more susceptible to chemicals than other plastics and is sometimes contaminated with lead or BPA, which is considered unsafe for food contact.
Plastic bottles are also used for dry products, including medication and nutritional supplements. They are manufactured from a number of organic polymers, primarily ethylene and hexane, which are formed into rigid shapes in a process called blow molding. The resulting containers are then filled with the desired product, which is then sealed to prevent leakage and contamination.
The term bottle is also a colloquial name for a bottle of liquor, usually whiskey. It is a common nickname among people who are under the influence of alcohol, or who have had too much to drink. It is a humorous alternative to more serious terms such as swag, stash, or booty. A related slang word is nip, which refers to the mouthpiece on a bottle of liquor.
