packing

noun

pack·​ing ˈpa-kiŋ 

1

a

: the action or process of packing something

also : a method of packing

b

: the processing of food and especially meat for future sale

2

: material (such as a covering or stuffing) used to protect packed goods (as for shipping)

also : material used for making airtight or watertight

packing for a faucet

3

US politics : a form of gerrymandering in which election districts are drawn in such a way that voters likely to support the opposing party are concentrated into a single district to limit the influence of their votes in other districts

… it calculates the impact of the two mechanisms that create gerrymandering. The first of these is "packing," which means one side's votes have been overconcentrated so they win by huge margins in a small number of districts (creating a surplus of votes).

—G. Terry Madonna and Michael Young

compare cracking sense 2

Examples of packing in a Sentence

We finished all our packing yesterday.

I used some old newspapers for packing.

Recent Examples on the Web

In order to extend the life of your favorite suitcase down to the detail, keep reading to find the genius protective hacks worth investing in from just $9 at Amazon, from handy luggage straps to compressive packing cubes that will eliminate strain on your bag’s zipper. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025

The article suggested keeping them involved in the packing process. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025

And the traveling stress definitely doesn't end with the packing process. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

Automation speeds up picking, packing, and delivery. —Kurt Knutsson May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links., FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing packing

• court packing
• packing crate
• packing peanuts
• packing them in
• send packing

Rhymes for packing

• backing
• blacking
• clacking
• cracking
• hacking
• jacking
• lacking
• racking
• sacking
• slacking
• smacking
• snacking

Medical Definition

packing

noun

pack·​ing ˈpak-iŋ 

1

: the therapeutic application of a pack

hemorrhage … could not be controlled by suture or packing

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: the material used in packing