package

[ pak-ij ]

noun

1. a bundle of something, usually of small or medium size, that is packed and wrapped or boxed; parcel.
2. a container, as a box or case, in which something is or may be packed.

   Synonyms: carton

3. something conceived of as a compact unit having particular characteristics:

   That child is a package of mischief.

4. the packing of goods, freight, etc.
5. a finished product contained in a unit that is suitable for immediate installation and operation, as a power or heating unit.
6. a group, combination, or series of related parts or elements to be accepted or rejected as a single unit.
7. a complete program produced for the theater, television, etc., or a series of these, sold as a unit.

verb (used with object)

, pack·aged, pack·ag·ing.

1. to make or put into a package.
2. to design and manufacture a package for (a product or series of related products):

   They package their soaps in eye-catching wrappers.

3. to group or combine (a series of related parts) into a single unit.
4. to combine the various elements of (a tour, entertainment, etc.) for sale as a unit.

package

/ ˈpækɪdʒ /

noun

1. any wrapped or boxed object or group of objects
2. 1. a proposition, offer, or thing for sale in which separate items are offered together as a single or inclusive unit
   2. ( as modifier )

      a package holiday

      a package deal

3. a complete unit consisting of a number of component parts sold separately
4. the act or process of packing or packaging
5. computing a set of programs designed for a specific type of problem in statistics, production control, etc, making it unnecessary for a separate program to be written for each problem
6. See pack
   another word for pack 1

verb

1. to wrap in or put into a package
2. to design and produce a package for (retail goods)
3. to group (separate items) together as a single unit
4. to compile (complete books) for a publisher to market

Other Words From

• package·a·ble adjective
• mis·package verb (used with object) mispackaged mispackaging
• mis·packaged adjective
• sub·package noun
• un·packaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of package¹

First recorded in 1605–15, package is from the Dutch word pakkage “baggage.” See pack ¹, -age

Synonym Study

Package, pack, packet, parcel refer to a bundle or to something fastened together. A package is a bundle of things packed and wrapped: a package from the drugstore. A pack is a large bundle or bale of things put or fastened together, usually wrapped up or in a bag, case, etc., to be carried by a person or a beast of burden: a peddler's pack. A packet, originally a package of letters or dispatches, is a small package or bundle: a packet of gems. A parcel is an object or objects wrapped up to form a single, small bundle: a parcel containing two dresses.

Example Sentences

The design of the payments has emerged as one of the most hotly debated provisions in the rescue package.

From Washington Post

That’s a good opportunity to check your background for empty snack packages or other possibly embarrassing items you may have left sitting in your camera’s view.

From Popular-Science

Efforts to pass an extension before it expired stalled amid disagreements over other elements of the relief package.

From Washington Post

The latest package contains $350 billion for states and cities, $160 billion for health care costs and $130 billion for schools.

From Time

Although Washington made a competitive offer, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Los Angeles Rams won out with a package that included a third-round pick this year, two future first-round picks and quarterback Jared Goff.

From Washington Post

For centuries scientists included God as a part of their explanatory package.

From The Daily Beast

In her newest EP Love Your Boyfriend, she takes the messaging of love songs and places it in an abrasive, sonic package.

From The Daily Beast

Place the package, folded side up, on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

From The Daily Beast

In September, Congress authorized the train-and-equip mission in Syria as part of a larger spending package.

From The Daily Beast

Now the city fills with travelers on package tours who stay at ultra-modern hotels and spend their money at glittering malls.

From The Daily Beast

This struck Davy as being a very happy idea, and he accordingly printed "Confexionry" on the package in his very best manner.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppose your package is stolen by the cashier or paying teller, is the bank responsible?

From Project Gutenberg

A court might hold that the man who gave it to him was a fool for entrusting such a package voluntarily with him.

From Project Gutenberg

The package was untied, and all the papers gone through and much history was therein contained.

From Project Gutenberg

And the Marquise, who now held the package she had received from the courier, bade the page depart also.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bundle
• lot
• package deal
• set
• unit