pack ice

noun

: sea ice formed into a mass by the crushing together of pans, floes, and brash

Examples of pack ice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Off the coast of Antarctica, Endurance became trapped by drifting pack ice—giant icebergs that form in the fall and winter. Frederick Dreier, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025 The Endurance, Tuhkuri learned from historic records, was built for Arctic visits during the summer, not for navigating Antarctic pack ice. Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 Snow petrels are highly associated with pack ice, among the most ice-dependent of Antarctic seabirds. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025 Sperm whales, the largest species of toothed whale, are found in all deep oceans, from the Equator to the edge of the pack ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Johnny Diaz, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pack ice

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pack ice was in 1842

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pack ice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pack%20ice. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

pack ice

noun
: sea ice formed into a mass by the crushing together of chunks and sheets of ice

More from Merriam-Webster on pack ice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!