packet

[pak-it]

noun

1. a small group or package of anything.

   a packet of letters.

2. Also called packet ship. Also called packet boat,. a small vessel that carries mail, passengers, and goods regularly on a fixed route, especially on rivers or along coasts.

3. Cards.,  a part of a pack of cards after being cut.

4. Informal.,  a large amount of money.

5. Computers.,  a relatively small unit of data sent over a network.

   Every email you send and web page you browse is transferred to and from your device in a series of packets.

6. British Slang.

   1. a painful blow or beating.

   2. misfortune or failure.

verb (used with object)

1. to bind up in a package or parcel.

packet

/ ˈpækɪt /

noun

1. Usual US and Canadian word: package.  pack. a small or medium-sized container of cardboard, paper, etc, often together with its contents

   a packet of biscuits

2. a small package; parcel

3. Also called: packet boat. a boat that transports mail, passengers, goods, etc, on a fixed short route

4. slang,  a large sum of money

   to cost a packet

5. computing a unit into which a larger piece of data is broken down for more efficient transmission See also packet switching

verb

1. (tr) to wrap up in a packet or as a packet

Word History and Origins

Origin of packet¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Middle French pacquet, equivalent to pacqu(er) pack ¹ + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of packet¹

C16: from Old French pacquet, from pacquer to pack, from Old Dutch pak a pack

Synonym Study

See package .

Example Sentences

The amount of money people take home in their pay packet is set to go up, as personal income tax allowances could increase by £600 to £15,200.

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The three of them had meagre possessions - plastic mats, clothes, packets of instant noodles and some other grocery items - and the cave was leaking.

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She wants to protect pay packets and "not put up the prices in shops".

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Graphic pictures to illustrate the dangers of smoking have been mandatory on cigarette packets in the UK since 2008.

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This might include taking soft plastics - such as crisp packets and bread bags - to a collection point in their local supermarket, and using reusable towels instead of kitchen paper.

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Related Words

• bag 
• carton 
• container 
• envelope 
• folder 
• package 
• parcel 
• wrapper