26984 words

pack

32 definitions • 58 examples
1
to put something into a bag, box, etc.:

Examples:

We're leaving early tomorrow morning, so you'd better pack (= put clothes and other possessions into suitcases or bags) tonight.
pack a suitcase She packed a small suitcase for the weekend.
pack your bags He just packed his bags and walked out on his wife and children.
I haven't packed my clothes (= put them into a suitcase, etc.) yet.
[ + two objects ] Could you pack me a spare pair of shoes, please/pack a spare pair of shoes for me, please?
be packed in These books need to be packed in a box.
pack something into something In summer, we'd pack everything into the caravan and head to the beach.
2
to put a material around something before putting it into a bag, box, etc. so that it will not break or be damaged:

Examples:

She packed the vase in tissue paper to protect it.
3
to come or bring together in large numbers or to fill a space:

Examples:

pack into Thousands of fans are packing into the stadium.
Fans packed the stadium to watch the final game.
pack someone/something like sardines The people on the bus were packed together like sardines (= there were many of them very close together).
4
to (cause to) form into a solid mass:

Examples:

The wind has packed the snow against the garage door.
be packed down The snow has packed down tightly, making the streets dangerous to walk on.
5
to carry something, especially a gun:

Examples:

pack a gun These bear lovers refuse to pack a gun or even to carry pepper spray.
figurative This gun packs (= has) a lot of firepower.
6
a group, set, or collection of something:

Examples:

information pack The information pack consists of a brochure and a map.
7
a group of animals, such as dogs, that live and/or hunt together:

Examples:

a wolf pack
a pack of wild dogs
8
an organized group of children who are Brownies or Cubs:

Examples:

My uncle was the leader of my Cub pack.
9
a set of playing cards:

Examples:

a pack of cards
10
a group of similar people, especially one that contains people whose activities you do not approve of:

Examples:

a pack of thieves
pack of A pack of journalists was waiting outside the White House.
11
the main group of competitors in a race or competition behind the leader or leaders:

Examples:

She led the pack through 3 kilometres in about 8:33, before surging to open up a large gap.
the chasing pack The two-time former winner broke from the chasing pack two kilometres from home.
12
in rugby, the forwards in a team as a group:

Examples:

forward pack They've got a big, strong forward pack.
The Tigers' pack turned over a Newcastle scrum five metres out.
13
a small paper or cardboard container in which a number of small objects are sold :

Examples:

pack of Could you pick me up a pack of cigarettes/gum while you're out?
14
a type of bag that you usually carry on your back when you are travelling
15
a thick mass of a substance, often like clay, that is used as a beauty treatment for the face
16
a thick mass of cloth, etc. that can be put on an injury to stop any bleeding or swelling:

Examples:

Hold this ice pack to your head to stop the bruising.
17
used in combination with an amount to show that that many of a particular type of goods have been wrapped and are being sold together:

Examples:

a six-pack of beer
a twin-pack of soap
a multi-pack of toilet paper
18
to put items into a container, esp. for transporting them or for storage:

Examples:

[ I ] You’d better start packing.
[ T ] I forgot to pack my socks.
[ T ] Pack your bag, we’re leaving tonight.
19
to fill a space, or to crowd people or things together, esp. in large numbers:

Examples:

[ T ] People packed Times Square, waiting for the new year to begin.
The cooler was packed with cans of soda.
fig. How much can you pack into a short vacation?
20
to press something consisting of a lot of small pieces together so that they form a solid mass:

Examples:

Nina packed the snow into a hard snowball.
21
a group of animals:

Examples:

Wolves live and hunt in packs.
22
a number of things usually of the same kind that are tied together or stored in a container, or the container itself:

Examples:

a pack of bubble gum
a pack of cards
23
A pack is also a backpack.
24
a container in which things are put to be kept, sold, or sent somewhere, or the contents of a container:

Examples:

a pack of cigarettes
Keep the goods in the pack if you might want to return them to the store.
25
a collection of objects, documents, etc. that are made available as a set :

Examples:

pack of 6/12/20, etc. These items are usually sold in packs of ten.
Information packs are available at the front desk.
You can download the application pack from our website.
26
used with a word that describes an amount to show that a collection of objects are being sold together:

Examples:

a six-pack of beer
a multipack of pet food
These bulbs are sold as a twin-pack only.
27
a way of referring to the people, companies, etc. that are not the leaders in a particular area of business:

Examples:

The end of a downturn is an excellent opportunity for companies to pull ahead of the pack.
28
to put something into a container:

Examples:

pack sth in/into sth The fruit is finally packed into wooden crates for shipping.
29
to put material around something to protect it before putting it into a container:

Examples:

pack sth in sth The ornaments were carefully packed in soft material before being placed in the box.
30
to put food in a particular substance so that it does not decay:

Examples:

pack sth in sth sardines packed in oil
31
if people pack a place, they fill it completely:

Examples:

32
to have a great effect or influence:

Examples:

This was news that packed a punch in the business community.
It was a small company but one that packed a big punch.

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