pack

1 of 4

noun

often attributive
1
a
: a bundle arranged for convenience in carrying especially on the back
b
: a group or pile of related objects
c(1)
: a number of individual components packaged as a unit
a pack of gum
(2)
(3)
: a compact unitized assembly to perform a specific function
(4)
: a stack of magnetic disks in a container for use as a storage device
2
a
: the contents of a bundle
b
: a large amount or number : heap
a pack of lies
c
: a full set of playing cards
3
a
: an act or instance of packing
b
: a method of packing
4
a
: a set of persons with a common interest : clique
b
: an organized unit (as of Cub Scouts)
5
a(1)
: a group of domesticated animals trained to hunt or run together
(2)
: a group of often predatory animals of the same kind
a wolf pack
(3)
: a large group of individuals massed together (as in a race)
b
6
: a concentrated or compacted mass (as of snow or ice)
7
: absorbent material (such as gauze pads) used to apply medicine or moisture or to press upon a body part or plug an opening (as to stop bleeding) see ice pack sense 2
8
a
: a cosmetic paste for the face
b
: an application or treatment of oils or creams for conditioning the scalp and hair
9
: material used in packing

pack

2 of 4

verb (1)

packed; packing; packs

transitive verb

1
a
: to make into a compact bundle
b
: to fill completely
fans packed the stadium
c
: to fill with packing
pack a joint in a pipe
d
: to load with a pack
pack a mule
e
: to put in a protective container
goods packed for shipment
2
a
: to crowd together
b
: to increase the density of : compress
3
a
: to cause or command to go without ceremony
packed him off to school
b
: to bring to an end : give up
used with up or in
might pack up the assignment
used especially in the phrase pack it in
4
: to gather into tight formation : make a pack of (animals, such as hounds)
5
: to cover or surround with a pack
6
a
: to transport on foot or on the back of an animal
pack a canoe overland
b
: to wear or carry as equipment
pack a gun
c
: to be supplied or equipped with : possess
a storm packing hurricane winds
d
: to make or be capable of making (an impact)
a book that packs a man-sized punchC. J. Rolo

intransitive verb

1
a
: to go away without ceremony : depart
simply packed up and left
b
: quit, stop
used with up or in
why don't you pack in, before you kill yourselfMillard Lampell
2
a
: to stow goods and equipment for transportation
b
: to be suitable for packing
a knit dress packs well
3
a
: to assemble in a group : congregate
b
: to crowd together
4
: to become built up or compacted in a layer or mass
the ore packed into a stony mass
5
a
: to carry goods or equipment
b
: to travel with one's baggage (as by horse)
packability noun
packable adjective

pack

3 of 4

verb (2)

packed; packing; packs

transitive verb

1
: to influence the composition of so as to bring about a desired result
pack a jury
"… packing a court, increasing the number of justices so you can get a desired outcome. … "Andy Biggs
see also court-packing, pack the court
2
archaic : to arrange (the cards in a pack) so as to cheat

pack

4 of 4

adjective

chiefly Scotland

Examples of pack in a Sentence

Noun He took a map and a bottle of water out of his pack. hikers carrying heavy packs up a mountain They loaded the packs onto the horses. The entire pack of crayons spilled on the floor. Cigarettes typically come in packs of 20. You'll receive your informational pack upon arrival.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Compared with other parts of California, San Diego County was about the middle of the pack with its rate of 4.7 percent. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 For shoppers, financial experts recommended considering the price per unit (per ounce or per item in a pack) to assess price changes. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 Consumer Product Safety Commission Owners of the hoverboards should immediately remove the battery pack and take it to a battery recycler or hazardous waste collection center. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 Telemetry collars are integral to tracking the population and wolves’ activities, and officials aim to have two collared wolves in each pack, typically on the alpha male and female. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 The menu is the same as at the other locations: a three-meat platter for $26.50, family packs for $50-$180 and meats by the pound including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, chicken pork belly burnt ends and on weekends, beef ribs. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2024 That facility was originally built to assemble battery packs for the Chevrolet Volt. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Once the battery pack is out of battery, exchange it for a fresh one at the locker reservation table. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 In the 1600s, when dogs were used in pack hunts of large quarry (bears, boars, stags, etc.), the canines would wear spiked iron collars for protection. Alicia Wallace, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024
Verb
Walmart’s Terra & Sky plus-size clothing line is packed with more than 300 spring-ready, versatile items — all for under $25. Rachel Trujillo, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Leslie’s father was among the traitors who gave up, took the money, packed his things and his daughter, and fled. Jared Lemus, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2024 The family's website says Murray packed several days worth of clothes, including workout attire, toiletries, books and makeup. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 Since the doors opened Feb. 7, Finca has been packed every night. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 The Lakers won’t need to pack more than an overnight bag before the end of the month, but their guests at Crypto.com Arena will be some of the best teams in the league. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 In Los Angeles, everyone's calendar the week leading up to the Oscars is packed with back-to-back events. Rachel Besser, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 Condé Nast Traveler spoke with Slater about her most meaningful travel experiences, reinvention, and, of course, packing essentials. Mercedes Bleth, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2024 The convenient two-in-one carrier costs $14 to $15, which seems totally worth not having to fish through my suitcase looking for my contacts, or forgetting to pack them in the first place. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2024
Adjective
BJ McLeod Motorsports became a staple in Nascar’s version of Triple-A, and it’s seen as a place where drivers can earn their first major shot to compete in mid-pack equipment. Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021 Velociraptors were pack animals, that much is clear. Robin George Andrews, Discover Magazine, 14 June 2015 The service said that anyone who needs to be outside should dress in layers, cover as much of their skin as possible and pack winter safety kits in their vehicles. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2022 The multi-pack set includes two small, two medium, and one large cube. Annie Burdick, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 Fans go wild for Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding — so much so that popular bakery chain had released a pudding multi-pack, available to ship coast to coast. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2022 Pricing starts at $54,795 for an LS model, although our favorite is the mid-pack RST trim, which can be fitted with the diesel engine as well as four-wheel drive. Nicholas Wallace, Car and Driver, 29 Mar. 2022 The result is more pack-style racing, with the drafting in practice looking eerily similar to restrictor-plate traffic jams at Daytona or Talladega. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 20 Mar. 2022 Flatlock seams mean no irritation under pack shoulder straps. Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 30 July 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, of Low German or Dutch origin; akin to Middle Low German & Middle Dutch pak pack

Verb (2)

obsolete pack to make a secret agreement

Adjective

perhaps from obsolete pack to make a secret agreement

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

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

Verb (2)

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1686, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pack was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near pack

Cite this Entry

“Pack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pack. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pack

1 of 3 noun
1
a
: a bundle arranged for carrying especially on the back of a person or animal
b
: a group of items packaged as a unit
a pack of cards
d
: a stack of magnetic disks in a container for use as a storage device
2
: the contents of a pack
3
a
: a group of similar persons or animals
a pack of thieves
a wolf pack
b
: an organized troop (as of Cub Scouts)
4
: a tight mass or group
especially : a mass of ice chunks floating on the sea
5
: absorbent material (as gauze pads) used medically (as to apply medicine or moisture or to press upon a bodily part to stop bleeding) compare ice pack sense 2

pack

2 of 3 verb
1
a
: to place articles in (as for transportation or storage)
pack a suitcase
b
: to cover or fill so as to prevent passage (as of air or water)
pack the joint of a pipe
c
: to place closely and securely in a container or bundle
pack goods
2
a
: to crowd in
people packed the hall
b
: to form into a pack
ice is packing in the gorge
3
: to send or go away without delay
pack a child off to school
4
: to transport on foot or on the back of an animal
pack water from a spring
5
: carry entry 1 sense 6
pack a gun
6
: to be supplied with : possess
a storm packing hurricane winds

pack

3 of 3 verb
: to choose or bring together dishonestly so as to be assured of a favorable vote
pack a jury
Etymology

Noun

Middle English pack "a bundle for carrying on the back"; of Germanic origin

Verb

from obsolete pack "to make a secret agreement"

Medical Definition

pack

1 of 2 noun
1
: a container shielded with lead or mercury for holding radium in large quantities especially for therapeutic application
2
a
: absorbent material saturated with water or other liquid for therapeutic application to the body or a body part see cold pack, hot pack compare ice pack
b
: a folded square or compress of gauze or other absorbent material used especially to maintain a clear field in surgery, to plug cavities, to check bleeding by compression, or to apply medication

pack

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to cover or surround with a pack
packed it away from the operative field with gauze packsR. P. Parsons
specifically : to envelop (a patient) in a wet or dry sheet or blanket

Legal Definition

pack

transitive verb
: to influence the composition of (as a political agency) so as to bring about a desired result
pack a jury

More from Merriam-Webster on pack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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