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.

---

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

---

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

Example Sentences

Next we start on the welcome packet Ms.

From Literature

He added there was a "celebrity culture" around the cards with Jake Paul, Logan Paul's brother, and others opening packets of them on TikTok, which he said caused an "instant blow-up" in demand.

From BBC

If unsure, Cho suggests undercooking slightly because the packet can return to the oven.

From The Wall Street Journal

CEO Elon Musk is convinced there will be a big market for them though - his record $1 trillion pay packet is partly linked to him selling one million bots in the next ten years.

From BBC

Molly spilled the salt packet into the bottom of the bag and dipped a hunk of bagel into it before popping it into her mouth.

From Literature

Related Words

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