pack
pak
Pack (noun) means a bundle of things wrapped or tied together for carrying, or a bag carried on the back. Example: “He hoisted his pack onto his shoulders before setting off on the hike.”
noun
1
A bundle of things wrapped or tied together for carrying, or a bag carried on the back.
"He hoisted his pack onto his shoulders before setting off on the hike."
"The scouts checked that each pack held a torch and a water bottle."
"The hikers' packs lay stacked beside the tent while they cooked supper."
2
A group of similar things, animals, or people, especially wolves or hunting dogs.
"A pack of wolves howled in the distance."
"They travelled in a pack, never splitting up in the city."
"The hunters followed a pack of hounds through the misty woods."
3
A full set of playing cards, or a small package of items sold together, like cigarettes.
"She shuffled the pack before dealing the cards."
"He bought a fresh pack of cards for the family game night."
"There was a pack of chewing gum in her coat pocket."
verb
1
To put things together tightly, especially for storage or travel.
"We need to pack our suitcases before the flight tomorrow."
"The stadium was packed with fans before kickoff."
"Please pack the glasses carefully so nothing breaks in the van."
2
To carry, especially a weapon.
"In the old film, the sheriff always packed a revolver on his belt."
"Nobody knew whether the guard actually packed a weapon at night."
"Rumour had it he packed a gun under his jacket."
How to use pack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bundle or group of things (or animals) bound together, or the act of putting things together compactly for storage or travel.
Common pairings
pack a suitcase
wolf pack
pack of cards
packed house
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Word forms
- Plural
- packs
- Third person singular
- packs
- Past tense
- packed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He hoisted his _____ onto his shoulders before setting off on the hike.
Etymology
From Middle English "pak/pakke," related to Middle Dutch "pak" and German "Pack," all going back to a shared Germanic root meaning "bundle."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for pack
See all rhymes for pack →Frequently asked questions
What does “pack” mean?
The word “pack” means a bundle of things wrapped or tied together for carrying, or a bag carried on the back. In plain terms, a bundle or group of things (or animals) bound together, or the act of putting things together compactly for storage or travel.
How do you pronounce “pack”?
“Pack” is pronounced pak (/pæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “pack” in a sentence?
Here is “pack” used in a sentence: “He hoisted his pack onto his shoulders before setting off on the hike.”
What is the opposite of “pack”?
The opposite of “pack” — its antonyms — is unpack.
What part of speech is “pack”?
Depending on how it is used, “pack” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pack” come from?
The word “pack” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "pak/pakke," related to Middle Dutch "pak" and German "Pack," all going back to a shared Germanic root meaning "bundle.".
Is “pack” a common word?
“Pack” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “pack” have?
“Pack” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bundle of things wrapped or tied together for carrying, or a bag carried on the back.
What is the difference between a pack and a packet?
A pack is a bundle or container of items grouped for carrying or selling, and can be fairly large — a pack of water bottles, or a bag worn on the back. A packet is usually smaller, a single wrapped portion such as a packet of crisps or sugar. In short, packets tend to be little; packs can be big.
What is the difference between a pack and a backpack?
A backpack is one specific kind of pack: a bag with straps carried on the back, also called a rucksack. 'Pack' is the broader word and can also mean any bundle of things tied or wrapped together for carrying. So every backpack is a pack, but not every pack is a backpack.
What are the types of packs?
In the carrying sense, packs include backpacks and rucksacks worn on the back, day packs for short trips, and framed packs for hiking. In the bundle sense, a pack can be any wrapped or boxed set of goods, such as a battery pack or a value pack. The word covers both bags and bundles.
What is an example of a pack?
Examples include a hiker's pack loaded with supplies and worn on the back, a pack of cards held together in a box, or a pack of batteries sold as a set. Each fits the core idea: several things bundled together, or a bag made for carrying goods on the body.
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