package

noun pack·age \ ˈpa-kij \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of package

1 archaic : the act or process of packing

2 a : a small or moderate-sized pack : parcel

b : a commodity or a unit of a product uniformly wrapped or sealed

c : a preassembled unit

3 : a covering wrapper or container

4 : something that suggests a package: such as

a : package deal

b : a radio or television series offered for sale at a lump sum

c : contract benefits gained through collective bargaining

d : a ready-made computer program or collection of related software

e : a travel arrangement contract that offers for a fixed price transportation, accommodations, and often sightseeing and entertainment

f : a collection of related items; especially : one to be considered or acted on together

presented his tax package to the nation

See package defined for English-language learners

See package defined for kids

Examples of package in a Sentence

All ingredients are listed right on the package.
She ate the whole package of crackers for lunch.
The hotel, airfare, and museum fees were all part of our vacation package.
The financial aid packages we'll be awarding this year are smaller than we had hoped they would be.

Recent Examples of package from the Web

The packages include one game between Wisconsin or Penn State, one between Maryland/Nebraska/Western Michigan and one or two between SMU and Indiana.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football 2018 ticket prices: Wisconsin, Penn State most costly," 19 Apr. 2018
The move comes a few weeks after advocates for criminal-justice reforms said they were disappointed that a package of Cuomo proposals, included eliminating cash bail for certain crimes, was excluded from the state budget.

— mike vilensky, WSJ, "New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Grant Parolees Right to Vote," 18 Apr. 2018
The Original package includes two sanitary wipes for arm rests and tray table, one allergy mask, and one disposable tray table cover.

— necee regis, BostonGlobe.com, "Here, there, and everywhere," 18 Apr. 2018
The city’s most recent bond package included $13 million to rehabilitate Roosevelt into a landscaped corridor friendly to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as $5 million for Presa.

— richard webner, San Antonio Express-News, "Controversial missions-area ‘downzoning’ gets delayed," 17 Apr. 2018
The package of bills included an increase in a production tax on oil companies.

— washington post, latimes.com, "Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers' failure to meet demands," 13 Apr. 2018
My DirecTV Now package includes the local sports network that carries my beloved Celtics basketball games, but not the one with the Red Sox games.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "Data Sheet—A Cord Cutter's Life For Me: Replacing Cable With Internet TV," 12 Apr. 2018
The package of bills included an increase in a production tax on oil companies.

— moriah balingit, Washington Post, "Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers’ failure to meet demands," 12 Apr. 2018
The $156 million package of 10 bills includes a $250 increase in the standard deduction for single people and a $500 increase for couples, the first increase in three decades.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland lawmakers' tax relief plan leaves many with higher state tax bills," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'package.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of package

circa 1510

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

package Synonyms

Synonyms

array, assemblage, band, bank, batch, battery, block, bunch, clot, clump, cluster, clutch, collection, constellation, group, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, muster, parcel, passel, set, suite;

Near Antonyms

entity, item, single, unit;

agglomeration, assortment, hodgepodge, jumble, miscellany, mixture, odds and ends, sundries, variety;

cycle, run, series, suit;

Phrases

the whole kit and caboodle;

package

verb

Definition of package

packaged; packaging

transitive verb

1 a : to make into a package; especially : to produce as an entertainment package

b : to present (something, such as a product) in such a way as to heighten its appeal to the public

2 : to enclose in a package or covering

—

packager

noun

See package defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of package from the Web

In addition, Cody knew how to package himself for the masses.

— barbara spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Blood Brothers' details the strange, history-defying friendship of Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull," 27 Oct. 2017
And there are three second-rounders, which allows more chances to package some things and grab another first-rounder if need be.

— doug lesmerises, cleveland.com, "0-6? The front office isn't doing this to you, Browns fans; they're doing it for you -- Doug Lesmerises," 17 Oct. 2017
Judy Hartling, a Cigna spokeswoman, said that by the end of the day Tuesday the company’s volunteers will have packaged more than 2 million meals for the effort over the past five years.

— steven goode, Courant Community, "Cigna Employees Prepare 336,000 Meals For Puerto Rico," 17 Oct. 2017
Buyers are also treated to a bottle of Krug Rosé Champagne, a chrome wine stopper, and two glasses upon purchase—a pre-packaged date for the over-the-top traveler.

— bridget hallinan, CNT, "Krug and Berluti Made a $6,500 Backpack Just for Your Champagne," 12 Oct. 2017
Colón and others worked until 1 a.m. Monday to package the contributions for shipment.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Hurricane Maria pains Orlando Magic broadcaster Joey Colón," 27 Sep. 2017
Summerhill also carried a brand of rosé packaged in 40-ounce bottles.

— ashley velez, The Root, "Watch: Bullet Holes and Rosé: Exploiting Black Pain for Profit," 20 Sep. 2017
Whereas beef is produced locally (at least for her McDonald's) and fish is cooked freshly, the chicken is pre-packaged and flown in frozen from Thailand.

— tess koman, Cosmopolitan, "Here's Every Shocking Thing You Need to Know About the McDonald's Secret Menu," 20 July 2015
When fully frozen, package them in Ziploc bags and stockpile.

— Redbook, "Hearty 2-Minute Breakfasts," 6 Sep. 2012

First Known Use of package

1917

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PACKAGE Defined for English Language Learners

package

noun

Definition of package for English Language Learners

: a box or large envelope that is sent or delivered usually through the mail or by another delivery service
: a wrapper or container that covers or holds something
: something that comes in a container