to put clothes or other things into a suitcase, bag, or box so you can take them somewhere
I always pack my clothes the night before a trip.
"Don't forget to pack your toothbrush," Dad reminded Sam from the hallway.
a bag carried on the back, especially by hikers or students, for holding supplies or personal items
The hiker tightened the straps on his heavy pack.
She keeps a first-aid kit in her pack just in case.
a set or quantity of items wrapped or boxed together and sold as one unit
He bought a pack of playing cards at the gift shop.
Could you grab a pack of batteries while you're out?
to fill or press something so that it is tight, solid, or completely full
Children packed snow into a ball to start building a snowman.
The audience packed the theater on opening night.
a group of animals, especially wolves or dogs, that live and hunt together, or a tight group of people moving together
A pack of wolves trotted silently through the forest.
The cyclists rode in a tight pack down the road.
a pad filled with ice, gel, or heated material that is placed on the body to relieve pain or swelling
Apply a heat pack to relax your sore muscles.
She held a cold pack against her forehead to ease the headache.
a strong bag with two shoulder straps that you carry on your back to hold books, clothes, or other things, especially when hiking, travelling, or going to school
The student stuffed his notebooks into his backpack before catching the morning bus.
When the rain started, she pulled a folded umbrella out of her backpack.
✦ early 20th-century compound of back + pack, originally used by American outdoors enthusiasts
to travel or hike while carrying your belongings in a backpack, usually for pleasure and on a low budget
After college, she backpacked across South America for six months.
They plan to spend the summer backpacking the Appalachian Trail.
✦ verb use from the noun backpack, first recorded mid-20th century
