packing

American  

[pak-ing] / ˈpæk ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or work of a person or thing that packs. pack.

2. the preparation and packaging package of foodstuffs, especially to be sold at wholesale.

3. the way in which something is packed. pack. packed.

4. an act or instance of transporting supplies, goods, etc., on the backs of horses, mules, or persons.

5. material used to cushion or protect goods packed pack packed in a container.

6. material, often in the form of a grease-impregnated fibrous ring, compressed inside a stuffing box or the like to prevent leakage around the moving shaft of an engine, pump, or valve.

7. Printing. rubber, paper, or other material fastened to the tympan or cylinder of a press to provide pressure to produce a printed impression.

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packing British  

/ ˈpækɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. material used to cushion packed goods

   2. ( as modifier )

      a packing needle

2. the packaging of foodstuffs

3. med

   1. the application of a medical pack

   2. gauze or other absorbent material for packing a wound

4. printing sheets of material, esp paper, used to cover the platen or impression cylinder of a letterpress machine

5. any substance or material used to make watertight or gastight joints, esp in a stuffing box

6. engineering pieces of material of various thicknesses used to adjust the position of a component or machine before it is secured in its correct position or alignment

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Usage

What is packing? Packing is the act of grouping items into a container, especially for storing or moving the items.Packing can also describe the container or wrapping itself used to pack items.Example: The packing on this Christmas gift is too hard to get off!

Other Word Forms

• underpacking noun

Etymology

Origin of packing

1350–1400; Middle English pakking (gerund). See pack ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

They kept packing and repacking, weighing every item’s significance against its necessity.

From Los Angeles Times

For instance, they all wait at the bottom of the hill to watch their teammates race, rather than packing up and leaving when their day is done.

From Los Angeles Times

And the German composer has been reliably packing in audiences for longer than the modern Olympics has existed.

From The Wall Street Journal

The case he remembers packing in his own suitcase before we left Hawaii.

From Literature

"It is not worth packing this last piece of toffee. Rowan," said Marlie, holding out the package.

From Literature

Related Words

• Styrofoam