packing

noun

pack·​ing ˈpa-kiŋ 

1

a

: the action or process of packing something

also : a method of packing

b

: the processing of food and especially meat for future sale

2

: material (such as a covering or stuffing) used to protect packed goods (as for shipping)

also : material used for making airtight or watertight

packing for a faucet

3

US politics : a form of gerrymandering in which election districts are drawn in such a way that voters likely to support the opposing party are concentrated into a single district to limit the influence of their votes in other districts

… it calculates the impact of the two mechanisms that create gerrymandering. The first of these is "packing," which means one side's votes have been overconcentrated so they win by huge margins in a small number of districts (creating a surplus of votes).

—G. Terry Madonna and Michael Young

compare cracking sense 2

Examples of packing in a Sentence

We finished all our packing yesterday.

I used some old newspapers for packing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Amazon Prime Member Deals Amazon’s latest members-only offerings encompass everything travelers require to build the perfect packing list, from spacious and reliable luggage to the comfiest footwear for walking tours and beyond. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2024

Common reed – plant introduced in shipment packing material and solid ballast. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2024

One of the most essential pieces of technology included in every traveler’s packing list is a pair of headphones or earbuds. —Carina Brackett, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024

Regardless of the age of the ship, taking at least one universal adapter is a wise packing choice. —David Nikel, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing packing

• court packing
• packing crate
• packing peanuts
• packing them in
• send packing

Medical Definition

packing

noun

pack·​ing ˈpak-iŋ 

1

: the therapeutic application of a pack

hemorrhage … could not be controlled by suture or packing

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: the material used in packing