packet

American  

[pak-it] / ˈpæk ɪt /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to bind up in a package or parcel.

packet British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Related Words

See package .

Etymology

Origin of packet

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

Explanation

A packet is a container or bundle, like the tiny packet of pretzels they give you on an airplane or the packet of papers a teacher takes home to grade over the weekend. The word packet was first used in the 15th century, from the Middle English pak, or "bundle. Dating back to Britain's Tudor era, packet ships were mail boats that carried bundles of letters overseas. This entire industry of mail service was known as the "packet trade." Today the word packet is more likely to conjure images of things in small paper containers that can be torn open, like the packets of soy sauce you get with your take-out dinner.

Example Sentences

But I did overshare here recently about my Atomic Fireball habit, and while they’re usually individually wrapped, I found a packet with two the other day, so I doubled up.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Times Plants newsletter will receive Jeanette’s Mix, a special packet of colorful sunflower seeds and California poppies that Marantos hoped to offer this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Texas-based company Hiro Technologies has created unbleached disposable diapers that comes with a packet of fungi which is added to the used diaper when it's ready to be thrown away.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

When light strikes many carbon based materials, it creates a tightly bound packet of energy called an exciton -- a paired electron and hole.

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2026

“So your girlfriend ain’t here,” Shayla said, standing over my desk as I tried to finish my English packet.

From "Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson

Related Words

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