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

Example Sentences

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

The fight over the warring feedbacks got so intense that Brockman at one point offered to withdraw his from Daniela’s packet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 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

"Will MLAs have to wait a year and threaten to go on strike to get the money or will it slide into their pay packet very quickly?"

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Until then, a ticket’ll get ’em a packet of leftover food from the palace kitchens.”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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