packet

[ pak-it ]

noun

1. a small group or package of anything:

   a packet of letters.

2. Also called packet 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

/ ˈpækɪt /

noun

1. a small or medium-sized container of cardboard, paper, etc, often together with its contents Usual US and Canadian wordpackagepack

   a packet of biscuits

2. a small package; parcel
3. Also calledpacket 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of packet¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Middle French pacquet, equivalent to pacqu(er) pack ¹none + -et -et none

Word History and Origins

Origin of packet¹

C16: from Old French pacquet, from pacquer to pack, from Old Dutch pak a pack

Synonym Study

See package none.

Example Sentences

Alongside packets from long-gone brands such as Tudor Crisps, he has limited edition mugs, a crisp advent calendar and a Walkers jacket.

From BBC

Prof Varanasi has previously made headlines for developing similar coatings for the insides of toothpaste packets – so you can get every last bit of toothpaste out.

From BBC

Healthcare professionals, hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, nurses and wholesalers who have packets of the affected batch should also return them.

From BBC

"He was eating a packet of Walkers cheese and onion crisps and he wasn't blinking," she said.

From BBC

"Even if it doesn't show up in pay packets from day one, it will eventually feed through to lower wages," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

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