Packing

'pækɪŋ

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
3 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To put items into a container for storage or travel.

'pækɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
General

To put things into a bag, box, or other container for transport or storage.

She is packing her lunch for work.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're getting ready for a sleepover. Packing means putting all your clothes, toys, and snacks into a bag or box so you can take them with you. It’s like making a little home-away-from-home in your backpack!

👶 For kids: Putting things you need into a box or bag.

More Examples

2

We are packing all our belongings to move to a new house.

3

The factory packs the goods efficiently.

How It's Used

Travel

"I am packing my suitcase for the trip."

Logistics

"The warehouse staff is responsible for packing the orders."

2

The process or method of placing items into a container, especially for shipment or storage.

'pækɪŋ

nounneutralmedium
General

The act of putting things into a container.

The packing process was completed quickly.

💡 Simply: When you're helping your parents move, the packing is the job of putting all the stuff from your house into boxes. It's what you do before the moving truck comes!

👶 For kids: When you are putting things in a box or bag.

More Examples

2

Good packing materials are essential to protect the items.

3

The company specializes in secure and efficient packing.

How It's Used

Logistics

"The packing of the goods needs to be done carefully."

Manufacturing

"Efficient packing is crucial for reducing shipping costs."

Tip:Visualize the entire process – choosing boxes, arranging items, sealing them – that's the packing.
3

Material used to fill a space, protect items, or seal a joint.

'pækɪŋ

nounneutralAdvanced
General

Material used to fill a space or protect items.

The packing inside the box was insufficient to protect the item.

💡 Simply: Packing can also be the stuff you put in a box to keep things from breaking. Imagine the little air-filled bubbles you use to protect a glass item during a move. Those bubbles are the packing!

👶 For kids: Stuff you use to keep things from breaking.

More Examples

2

Use proper packing to avoid damage during shipping.

3

The packing of the box contained multiple layers of protective material.

How It's Used

Manufacturing

"Bubble wrap is a common form of packing for fragile items."

Mechanical Engineering

"The valve packing prevents leaks."

Tip:Think about bubble wrap protecting a fragile item, that is one kind of packing

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

packing a punch

To be effective or have a strong impact.

"The movie's ending really packed a punch."

From Middle English *pakken*, from Old French *pacquer* ('to pack'), of Germanic origin, related to Dutch *pakken* and German *packen*.

Used in similar ways throughout history, with its meaning evolving primarily in technical contexts such as 'packing a valve'.

Memory tip

Think of packing a suitcase before a trip – putting everything neatly inside.

Word Origin

LanguageGermanic
Original meaning

"To bundle, bind, or compress."

pack a suitcasepack a boxpack carefullypacking materialspacking tape

Common misspellings

pakingpaccingpackin

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written