packing

[ pak-ing ]

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.

packing

/ 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

Other Words From

• under·packing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of packing¹

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

Example Sentences

Dishonourably discharged in 2000, McDonald worked briefly in a supermarket and at a factory packing chickens but soon began committing fraud.

From BBC

Mr King, 67, had been packing up his tripod and was ready to book a hotel when he saw the bird.

From BBC

Addressing illegal immigrants in the US during the Republican National Convention in the summer, he said: “You better start packing now.”

From BBC

Giving evidence, Mr Sharif told jurors he returned home unexpectedly to find a “terrified” Sara with her hands tied with packing tape.

From BBC

When Vance finished, I started packing my things to leave, hoping to avoid another interaction with a Vance supporter given there was ample free coffee in the room.

From Salon

Related Words

• Styrofoam