packaging

noun

1

: an act or instance of packaging something or someone: such as

a

: the enclosing of something in a container or covering

… damage caused by static charge during packaging, storing, and shipping.

—Chemical & Engineering News

b

: the presentation of something or someone to the public in a way that is designed to be attractive or appealing

This is public relations: the packaging of ideas, the execution of them, and the media coverage surrounding them.

—Robert Z. Chew

2

: material used to enclose or contain something

… the flashy packaging popularized by mass merchants.

—Jan Stafford

also : a covering wrapper or container : package entry 1 sense 3

the manufacture of food packagings

Examples of packaging in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rodent droppings were found on cardboard packaging. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026

The coin depicts Trump on its front, with its packaging also featuring photos of him and his pal, UFC president Dana White. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026

Store cauliflower in the refrigerator in its original packaging or a loose plastic bag and avoid washing until ready to use to prolong freshness. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

The results also pointed to the need for easy-to-understand, consumer-facing sustainability labeling, similar to the Nutri-Score — France’s A to F food grading system, which appears front and center on all packaging — cited by respondents as a potential inspiration for fashion. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

from gerund of package entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1