packet

noun

pack·​et ˈpa-kət 

1

a

: a small bundle or parcel

b

: a small thin package

c British

(1)

: pay envelope

(2)

: salary, paycheck

d

chiefly British : a considerable amount

that trip will cost a packet

2

a

: a number of letters dispatched at one time

b

: a small group, cluster, or mass

3

: a passenger boat usually carrying mail and cargo

4

British : a pack of cigarettes

5

: a short fixed-length section of data that is transmitted as a unit in an electronic communications network

Synonyms of packet

• bag
• bundle
• package
• pack
• pouch

Examples of packet in a Sentence

I got two packets of broccoli seeds to plant this summer.

He puts two packets of sugar in his coffee.

Could you get me another packet of ketchup?

Your information packet includes a map and a schedule of all the events at the conference.

I received the packet of legal papers today.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reviewed the case and a DNA packet was sent to Jackson’s family and then returned. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

The snack bag’s silica gel packet gave him the idea for DryOut, a multilayer material that pulls water away from a device, absorbs and traps it, then lets moisture evaporate when exposed to sunlight so it can be reused. — Hannah Singleton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Oklahoma State University, which took over testing, had a strong lead this year, and a DNA packet sent to a possible relative turned out to be a match, said Rouse, the coroner. — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026

Much like the big aluminum food bags, pouch batteries are flat packets made of flexible material that can house multiple battery cells instead of food. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pekette, pakat, from Anglo-French pacquet, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch pak pack

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing packet

• pay packet
• press packet
• wave packet

Rhymes for packet

• bracket
• jacket
• racket
• racquet
• straitjacket

Kids Definition

packet

noun

pack·​et ˈpak-ət 

1

: a passenger boat carrying mail and cargo on a regular schedule

2

: a small bundle or parcel