often attributive
1
a
: a bundle arranged for convenience in carrying especially on the back
b
: a group or pile of related objects
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
packed; packing; packs
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 punch—
C. J. Rolo
C. J. Rolo1
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)
packed; packing; packs
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
Andy Biggs2
archaic
: to arrange (the cards in a pack) so as to cheat
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.
Verb (1)
carefully pack the food containers so we'll have as much as possible for the picnic
I had packed the suitcase so tightly that it wouldn't close
remember to pack several changes of clothing
a private detective packing a weapon
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
The swappable battery system provides over eight hours of operation per pack, allowing continuous use.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
The Chesapeake Bay—the largest estuary in the continental United States—used to be packed with oysters, more than anyone today might imagine.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2009, the company ran into trouble in the wake of the financial crisis and was put into a pre-pack receivership.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pack
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.
Noun
UnderEase Mid-rise Thong Underwear 5-pack Silky-soft underwear that won’t ride up or trap sweat after an intense workout?
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
The swappable battery system provides over eight hours of operation per pack, allowing continuous use.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Be sure to pack them in a secure zippered toiletry bag with dedicated compartments, too.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
The Chesapeake Bay—the largest estuary in the continental United States—used to be packed with oysters, more than anyone today might imagine.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Army is expected to be a mid-pack team in the American Conference.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2009, the company ran into trouble in the wake of the financial crisis and was put into a pre-pack receivership.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pack
Cite this Entry
“Pack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pack. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pack
1 of 3 noun1
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
c
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 verb1
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 noun1
: a container shielded with lead or mercury for holding radium in large quantities especially for therapeutic application
2
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 packs—R. P. Parsons
R. P. Parsons
specifically
: to envelop (a patient) in a wet or dry sheet or blanket
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