backpack
BAK-pak
Backpack (noun) means a bag with straps worn on the back, used for carrying books, gear, or supplies. Example: “She packed her backpack for the three-day hike.”
noun
1
A bag with straps worn on the back, used for carrying books, gear, or supplies.
"She packed her backpack for the three-day hike."
"The heavy backpack made the long walk to school hard for the little boy."
"He put his lunch and a water bottle in his backpack."
verb
1
To travel or hike carrying one's belongings in a backpack, typically on a tight budget.
"They backpacked through Southeast Asia for six months."
"After finishing university, I want to backpack around South America and stay in cheap hostels."
"Many young people backpack across Europe during the summer holidays."
How to use backpack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bag carried on the back, or the act of traveling light with one, often on a budget.
Common pairings
pack a backpack
backpack across Europe
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Word forms
- Plural
- backpacks
- Third person singular
- backpacks
- Past tense
- backpacked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She packed her _____ for the three-day hike.
Etymology
From back + pack.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “backpack” mean?
The word “backpack” means a bag with straps worn on the back, used for carrying books, gear, or supplies. In plain terms, a bag carried on the back, or the act of traveling light with one, often on a budget.
How do you pronounce “backpack”?
“Backpack” is pronounced BAK-pak (/ˈbæk.pæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “backpack” in a sentence?
Here is “backpack” used in a sentence: “She packed her backpack for the three-day hike.”
What is another word for “backpack”?
Words with a similar meaning to “backpack” include book bag, bookbag, booksack, haversack, knapsack and packsack.
What part of speech is “backpack”?
Depending on how it is used, “backpack” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “backpack” a common word?
“Backpack” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “backpack” have?
“Backpack” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bag with straps worn on the back, used for carrying books, gear, or supplies.
What is the difference between a backpack and a rucksack?
Backpack and rucksack both describe a bag with straps worn on the back for carrying belongings; "backpack" is more common in American English, while "rucksack" is more traditionally British, though usage overlaps in both varieties.
What does it mean to backpack somewhere?
To backpack means to travel or hike while carrying one's belongings in a backpack, typically on a tight budget, often associated with independent, low-cost travel.
Is backpack used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes. As a noun, a backpack is the bag itself. As a verb, to backpack describes the act of traveling or hiking with one's belongings carried on the back, usually inexpensively.
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