knapsack

[ nap-sak ]

noun

1. a canvas, nylon, or leather bag for clothes, food, and other supplies, carried on the back by soldiers, hikers, etc.

knapsack

/ ˈnæpˌsæk /

noun

1. a canvas or leather bag carried strapped on the back or shoulder

Other Words From

• knapsacked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of knapsack¹

1595–1605; < Low German knappsack, equivalent to knapp a bite (of food) + sack sack ¹; compare dialectal English knap to snap up, eat greedily

Word History and Origins

Origin of knapsack¹

C17: from Low German knappsack, probably from knappen to bite, snap + sack bag; related to Dutch knapzak; see sack ¹

Example Sentences

Ranger Mara came prepared with her hulking knapsack filled with rocks and charts and marched into the middle of the loosely assembled crowd.

From Outside Online

It’s small enough to fit easily in a knapsack or pocket, and the durable rubber outside edge guards it against banging around too much.

From Popular-Science

So I marched off, got on the bus, barely able to manage my bulging knapsack, to return books and check out new ones.

From Nautilus

When he arrived, carrying nothing but a knapsack, he retrieved his Lampoon credit card from his wallet and broke it in two.

From The Daily Beast

A knapsack was filled with food and given Woot the Wanderer to carry upon his back, for the food was for his use alone.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm looking for a man named Halyard," I said, dropping rifle and knapsack on the fresh-cut, fragrant pile of pine.

From Project Gutenberg

Magnificent, she said, easing her shoulder of the strap of her knapsack while her eyes followed the driving rain cloud.

From Project Gutenberg

The stranger looked at it now and then, and at last rose and put out her hand for her knapsack.

From Project Gutenberg

Just before daybreak he slipped out with a knapsack, taking the road towards Meran.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• duffel bag
• satchel