packaging

American  

[pak-uh-jing] / ˈpæk ə dʒɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or instance of packing or forming packages.

   At the end of the production line is a machine for packaging.

2. the package in which merchandise is sold or displayed.

   Attractive packaging can help sell a product.

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packaging British  

/ ˈpækɪdʒɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the box or wrapping in which a product is offered for sale

   2. the design of such a box or wrapping, esp with reference to its ability to attract customers

2. the presentation of a person, product, television programme, etc, to the public in a way designed to build up a favourable image

3. the work of a packager

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Etymology

Origin of packaging

First recorded in 1870–75; package + -ing ¹

Explanation

Packaging is the material used to enclose, protect, and even promote things that are for sale. It’s all about presentation. If you’re having trouble selling lemonade out of an old pickle jar, perhaps you should change the packaging. Walk through a supermarket or a drug store and you'll see many different kinds of packaging, from hard plastic medicine bottles to cardboard cereal boxes and glass jars of spaghetti sauce. You can call the act or business of putting all these items into containers packaging too. There's also a figurative meaning of this noun, "presenting something in a flattering or beneficial way," as in: "The advisors' packaging of the candidate makes him seem much smarter."

Example Sentences

Hewson said there has been a "perfect storm" of increased costs for raw materials, energy, labour costs and even changes to packaging regulation that has made these essentials more expensive.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

That was largely because of the $4.5 billion acquisition of the glass packaging manufacturer Verallia Société Anonyme by BW Gestão de Investimentos, the office of Brazil’s Moreira Salles family.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

She begins to cross-reference family lore with a stunning trove of mail in original packaging, baptismal records from remote towns, court filings and Freedom of Information requests.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

It is understood the Treasury had asked retailers to freeze price rises on certain products in exchange for an easing of packaging policies and a potential delay to rule changes around healthy food.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

From the packaging to the taste, fast food is designed to be eaten quickly.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan