packing

packing — noun

1. the work of getting clothes or other belongings into bags, cases, or boxes so th

1.nounB1
Definition

the work of getting clothes or other belongings into bags, cases, or boxes so they are ready to travel or be sent away.

Example

We finished the packing just before the taxi reached our apartment.

pattern: finish the packing

Packing for the school trip took Mia all Saturday afternoon.

pattern: packing for + trip

Common collocations
  • finish the packing
  • packing for the trip
  • careful packing
  • last-minute packing
  • do the packing
Synonyms
  • packing up

    more informal, often used when preparing to leave a place

  • boxing up

    narrower, because it stresses putting things into boxes

  • bagging

    narrower, because it focuses on putting items into bags

  • loading

    usually names the later stage of putting packed goods onto a vehicle

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

packing for + trip/move

finish the packing

careful packing

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. Common before trips, moves, and shipping jobs, often after verbs like 'finish', 'start', and 'do'. Distinguish from sense 2, which names the material inside the box rather than the activity.

Common Mistakes

We did the pack last night.
We did the packing last night.
for this activity, English usually uses the noun 'packing', not 'pack'.
The packing were finished by noon.
The packing was finished by noon.
this sense is usually uncountable and takes a singular verb.

2. material placed around or between objects in a box so they do not get hit, scrat

2.nounB2
Definition

material placed around or between objects in a box so they do not get hit, scratched, or broken.

Example

The seller added soft packing around the lamp before mailing it.

pattern: packing around + object

Please keep the packing until you test the new printer.

pattern: keep the packing

Common collocations
  • soft packing
  • foam packing
  • packing around the lamp
  • keep the packing
  • remove the packing
Synonyms
  • padding

    usually softer material that cushions an object

  • cushioning

    more formal, often used in shipping or product descriptions

  • wrapping

    often refers to an outer layer rather than loose material inside

  • filler

    focuses on material used to fill empty space in a box

Grammar Patterns

packing around + object

keep/remove the packing

extra packing inside + box

Usage Note

Usually uncountable and often follows verbs such as 'add', 'keep', 'remove', and 'replace'. Distinguish from 'packaging', which can include the outside box or branded wrapping as well as the protective material.

Common Mistakes

The shop put many packings in the box.
The shop put a lot of packing in the box.
this material noun is usually uncountable.
Throw away the packaging inside the vase box.
Throw away the packing inside the vase box.
'packing' is the protective material inside; 'packaging' can mean the whole outer presentation.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Packing' is the general word for putting belongings or goods into bags, cases, or boxes before a trip, a move, or shipping. 'Packing up' is more informal and often suggests getting ready to leave a place. 'Boxing up' is narrower, because it stresses putting things into boxes, especially for storage or moving house. 'Loading' comes later: it means putting the already packed things onto a car, truck, or ship. So you might spend the morning 'packing', tell a friend you are 'packing up' the office, 'box up' old books for the move, and then 'load' everything into a van.

packing ↗packing upboxing uploading ↗

Etymology

Middle DutchMiddle EnglishEnglish

This noun was formed in English from the verb 'pack' and the ending '-ing'. English 'pack' entered the language in the late Middle Ages, probably from a Middle Dutch or related Low German verb meaning to bundle things together. 'Packing' keeps that basic idea and later developed the extra sense of the material used to protect goods in a box.