backpack

[ bak-pak ]

noun

1. a pack or knapsack, often of canvas or nylon, to be carried on one's back, sometimes supported on a lightweight metal frame strapped to the body.
2. a piece of equipment designed to be used while being carried on the back.

verb (used without object)

1. to go on a hike, using a backpack:

   We went backpacking in the Adirondacks.

verb (used with object)

1. to place or carry in a backpack or on one's back.

backpack

/ ˈbækˌpæk /

noun

1. a rucksack or knapsack
2. a pack carried on the back of an astronaut, containing oxygen cylinders, essential supplies, etc

verb

1. intr to travel about or go hiking with a backpack
2. tr to transport (food or equipment) by backpack

Derived Forms

• ˈbackˌpacking, noun
• ˈbackˌpacker, noun

Other Words From

• backpacker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of backpack¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; back ¹ + pack ¹

Example Sentences

Self-adhesive laminating sheets don’t require additional equipment and are perfect for small jobs like ensuring school schedules, awards, and crafts can hold up after being stuffed into a backpack with sticky fingers.

From Popular-Science

In these scenarios, we use our backpacks to carry skis and keep our hands free.

From Outside Online

When JHMR shut down in March of 2020, Kingwill strapped his snowboard to his backpack and hiked up Teton Pass’s infamous 1,300-foot Glory Boot Pack—every day for 77 days until all the snow had melted.

From Time

In this video, they cover bindings, boots, skis, poles, skins, backpacks, and safety necessities to help you make informed decisions when purchasing equipment to get started.

From Outside Online

Now it was 110 degrees, and under his backpack, his “large mammalian self,” as Peter called his body, was more than just overheating.

From ProPublica

In his backpack, which police say he dropped before fleeing, they recovered three hammers in plastic wrapping.

From The Daily Beast

But he loses his backpack in the process and it stays with the cops as he flees down the walkway toward Brooklyn.

From The Daily Beast

The police inspected the backpack and found two brand new hammers.

From The Daily Beast

Put this 65-pound backpack on and run up the hill nine or ten times.'

From The Daily Beast

Her backpack is even stolen by somebody riding along on a motorcycle.

From The Daily Beast

They had a little table between them with the contents of my wallet and backpack spread out on it.

From Project Gutenberg

Laughing, he picked up his backpack, turned on his heel and hurried away.

From Project Gutenberg

"Handsome glassware," Auguste said, seating himself and carefully setting his backpack between his feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Opening his backpack, he took out his leather medicine bag and drew out the stones one by one, rubbing his fingers over each.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• knapsack