packing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “packing” mean?
The action or process of putting items into containers, especially for storage or transport.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or process of putting items into containers, especially for storage or transport.
Material used to protect goods in transit, or the filler material in a structure; the arrangement or grouping of people or things, especially in a dense formation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. 'Packing tape' (US/UK) is sometimes 'parcel tape' in the UK. The compound 'packing peanuts' is common in US; UK may use 'packing chips' or specific brand names.
Connotations
Equally neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent.
Grammar
How to Use “packing” in a Sentence
do the packingstart packing (something)be busy packingpacking for + destinationpacking of + itemsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “packing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She is packing her suitcase for the holiday.
- They spent the evening packing boxes for the move.
American English
- He's packing his bags for the trip.
- We need to start packing up the kitchen.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- I need a strong packing box.
- The packing list must be attached to the crate.
American English
- Grab the packing tape from the garage.
- She bought a packing cube for her luggage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to logistics, shipping preparation, and industrial packaging processes.
Academic
Used in chemistry/physics for atomic/molecular arrangement (e.g., 'close packing').
Everyday
Preparing suitcases for travel or boxes for a house move.
Technical
In computing, data structure alignment; in engineering, filler/sealing material.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “packing”
- Using 'packaging' (commercial wrapping) interchangeably with 'packing' (the act).
- Using plural incorrectly ('packings' is rare; usually uncountable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Packing' refers to the act of putting items into containers or the material used for protection during transport. 'Packaging' refers to the commercial wrappers, boxes, or containers in which products are sold.
Typically uncountable. You don't say 'three packings' but rather 'three packing jobs' or 'three instances of packing'.
It means to dismiss or send someone away immediately and abruptly, often in anger.
Yes, in fields like chemistry, physics, and materials science, it refers to the arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a structure (e.g., 'hexagonal close-packing').
The action or process of putting items into containers, especially for storage or transport.
Packing is usually neutral to formal in register.
Packing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpakɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpækɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “send someone packing (to dismiss someone abruptly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BACKPACK – you do PACKING to put things INTO a BACKPACK.
Conceptual Metaphor
PACKING IS PREPARING FOR A JOURNEY; PACKING IS ORGANIZING SPACE EFFICIENTLY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'packing' used metaphorically?