package
Americannoun
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a bundle of something, usually of small or medium size, that is packed and wrapped or boxed; parcel.
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a container, as a box or case, in which something is or may be packed.
- Synonyms:
- carton
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something conceived of as a compact unit having particular characteristics.
That child is a package of mischief.
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the packing of goods, freight, etc.
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a finished product contained in a unit that is suitable for immediate installation and operation, as a power or heating unit.
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a group, combination, or series of related parts or elements to be accepted or rejected as a single unit.
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a complete program produced for the theater, television, etc., or a series of these, sold as a unit.
verb (used with object)
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to make or put into a package.
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to design and manufacture a package for (a product or series of related products).
They package their soaps in eye-catching wrappers.
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to group or combine (a series of related parts) into a single unit.
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to combine the various elements of (a tour, entertainment, etc.) for sale as a unit.
noun
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any wrapped or boxed object or group of objects
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a proposition, offer, or thing for sale in which separate items are offered together as a single or inclusive unit
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( as modifier )
a package holiday
a package deal
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a complete unit consisting of a number of component parts sold separately
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the act or process of packing or packaging
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computing a set of programs designed for a specific type of problem in statistics, production control, etc, making it unnecessary for a separate program to be written for each problem
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another word for pack 1
verb
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to wrap in or put into a package
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to design and produce a package for (retail goods)
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to group (separate items) together as a single unit
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to compile (complete books) for a publisher to market
Synonym Usage
Package, pack, packet, parcel refer to a bundle or to something fastened together. A package is a bundle of things packed and wrapped: a package from the drugstore. A pack is a large bundle or bale of things put or fastened together, usually wrapped up or in a bag, case, etc., to be carried by a person or a beast of burden: a peddler's pack. A packet, originally a package of letters or dispatches, is a small package or bundle: a packet of gems. A parcel is an object or objects wrapped up to form a single, small bundle: a parcel containing two dresses.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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subpackagenoun
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mispackageverb (used with object)
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unpackagedadjective
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mispackagedadjective
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packageableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have packagedperfect
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has packagedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been packagingperfect progressive
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has been packagingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am packagingprogressive 1st person singular
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packagessingular 3rd person
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is packagingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are packagingprogressive
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packagingparticiple
Past
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had packagedperfect
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had been packagingperfect progressive
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were packagingprogressive plural
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was packagingprogressive singular
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packagedsimple
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packagedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of package
First recorded in 1605–15, package is from the Dutch word pakkage “baggage.” See pack 1, -age
Explanation
A package is a wrapped bundle or a container of something. If you order new socks online, they'll be delivered to your door in a package a few days later. A package might be wrapped in colorful wrapping paper, or it may simply be a container that holds an item or a collection of them, like a package of peppermints. To package is to enclose something in a box or other container: "You should package your brownies and sell them at the farmer's market!" Package stems either from the noun pack, or possibly from the Dutch pakkage, or "baggage."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At the top of Trim Mountain we find the Prestige package.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
Early Friday, senators passed a $70 billion immigration funding package.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026
In 2023, she negotiated a generous package of raises and retention bonuses backed by the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the rank-and-file officers’ union, while pushing for a larger police department.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
Check out our yearly package that tops off the end of the Supreme Court’s term with stories explaining all of the court’s major decisions from legal experts Dahlia Lithwick, Mark Joseph Stern, and more.
From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026
Incredibly, Powell, thanks to the little package he showed as a prop, had still not created suspicion about his true intentions.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
