2 pack
Function:
verbInflected forms:
packs; packed; pack·ingMeaning:
1 a [+ obj] : to put (something) into a bag, suitcase, etc., so that you can take it with you ▪ Don't forget to pack your toothbrush. ▪ Be sure to pack your bathing suit and a towel. ▪ I've packed a picnic lunch for us. ▪ Pack your things/gear. We're leaving tonight. b : to put things into (a bag, box, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ We packed our bags the night before our trip. ▪ Have you packed your suitcase yet? ▪ My bags are packed, and I'm ready to go. ▪ packing and unpacking boxes [no obj] ▪ I spent the evening packing for my trip. ▪ She packed [=packed up] and left. ▪ We had only one week to pack and move out of our apartment. —see also packed 4
2 [+ obj] : to put (something) into a box or other container so that it can be moved, stored, or protected ▪ We've packed [=boxed] (up) all our books. [=we've put all our books into boxes] —often + in or into ▪ They pack the meat in dry ice before shipping it. ▪ They packed the statue into a crate.
3 a [+ obj] : to fill (a place) with as many people as possible ▪ Over 25,000 people will pack the stadium for tonight's concert. ▪ a famous comedian who packs clubs in every city : to fill a place completely with (people) —often + into ▪ Concert organizers pack hundreds of people into tiny nightclubs. b always followed by a preposition [no obj] : to gather close together as a group ▪ Her fans pack into theaters to hear her sing. ▪ We all packed into the car. ▪ The entire family packs around a small table for dinner.
4 [+ obj] : to put a large amount of something into (something) ▪ directors who pack their movies full of violence —often + with ▪ They pack their magazine with lots of helpful decorating ideas. ▪ The van had been packed with explosives. —see also packed 2
5 [+ obj] : to make (dirt, snow, etc.) more firm or solid by pressing down on it ▪ Pack the soil firmly around the roots of the plant. ▪ Other skiers had already packed the snow down. —see also packed 1
6 [+ obj] US : to unfairly control the kinds of people or things that are in (a group, list, etc.) in order to get the result you want ▪ They packed the meeting with their supporters. ▪ packing juries with people of a particular race
7 [+ obj] somewhat informal : to have or be able to produce (something powerful) ▪ The storm is packing hurricane-force winds. ▪ an engine that packs a lot of power [=an engine that is very powerful]
8 US informal : to wear or carry (a weapon) [+ obj] ▪ They might be packing guns/pistols/weapons. ▪ She's packing heat. [=she's carrying a gun] [no obj] ▪ We don't know if he's packing or not.
2 [+ obj] : to put (something) into a box or other container so that it can be moved, stored, or protected ▪ We've packed [=boxed] (up) all our books. [=we've put all our books into boxes] —often + in or into ▪ They pack the meat in dry ice before shipping it. ▪ They packed the statue into a crate.
3 a [+ obj] : to fill (a place) with as many people as possible ▪ Over 25,000 people will pack the stadium for tonight's concert. ▪ a famous comedian who packs clubs in every city : to fill a place completely with (people) —often + into ▪ Concert organizers pack hundreds of people into tiny nightclubs. b always followed by a preposition [no obj] : to gather close together as a group ▪ Her fans pack into theaters to hear her sing. ▪ We all packed into the car. ▪ The entire family packs around a small table for dinner.
4 [+ obj] : to put a large amount of something into (something) ▪ directors who pack their movies full of violence —often + with ▪ They pack their magazine with lots of helpful decorating ideas. ▪ The van had been packed with explosives. —see also packed 2
5 [+ obj] : to make (dirt, snow, etc.) more firm or solid by pressing down on it ▪ Pack the soil firmly around the roots of the plant. ▪ Other skiers had already packed the snow down. —see also packed 1
6 [+ obj] US : to unfairly control the kinds of people or things that are in (a group, list, etc.) in order to get the result you want ▪ They packed the meeting with their supporters. ▪ packing juries with people of a particular race
7 [+ obj] somewhat informal : to have or be able to produce (something powerful) ▪ The storm is packing hurricane-force winds. ▪ an engine that packs a lot of power [=an engine that is very powerful]
8 US informal : to wear or carry (a weapon) [+ obj] ▪ They might be packing guns/pistols/weapons. ▪ She's packing heat. [=she's carrying a gun] [no obj] ▪ We don't know if he's packing or not.
pack a punch/wallop
informal : to be very forceful or effective ▪ Careful—these hot peppers really pack a punch. [=they are very hot and spicy] ▪ Unlike her last album, her new release packs a wallop. [=it is forceful and energetic]
pack away [phrasal verb]
pack (something) away or pack away (something) : to put (something) in a safe place to be used at a later time ▪ It's time to pack away your winter clothes and get ready for summer. ▪ Her grandmother's dolls had been packed away in the attic for many years.
pack in [phrasal verb]
1 Brit informal : to stop or quit ▪ I have no intention of packing in just yet.
2 a pack in (someone or something) or pack (someone or something) in : to cause (someone or something) to fit into a small space ▪ My suitcase was full, but I managed to pack in one more sweater. ▪ There must have been a hundred people in that room. They packed us in like sardines! —see also 2pack 2 (above) b pack in (people) or pack (people) in : to cause (large groups of people) to come to a show or performance ▪ His show still packs in (the) crowds/audiences. [=large crowds/audiences still go to his show] ▪ packing in fans of all ages ▪ The movie has been packing them in at theaters across the country.
3 pack in (something) a US informal : to stop using (something) forever ▪ She isn't packing in her skis [=she is not giving up skiing] just yet. ▪ I decided to pack in my paintbrushes and go to business school. b Brit informal : to give up doing (something) ▪ He packed in [=quit] his job and became a farmer. ▪ They might pack in [=stop, give up] the project altogether.
4 pack it in informal : to stop doing a job or an activity : quit ▪ Do you think we should pack it in or keep going? ▪ They were ready to pack it in for the day.
2 a pack in (someone or something) or pack (someone or something) in : to cause (someone or something) to fit into a small space ▪ My suitcase was full, but I managed to pack in one more sweater. ▪ There must have been a hundred people in that room. They packed us in like sardines! —see also 2pack 2 (above) b pack in (people) or pack (people) in : to cause (large groups of people) to come to a show or performance ▪ His show still packs in (the) crowds/audiences. [=large crowds/audiences still go to his show] ▪ packing in fans of all ages ▪ The movie has been packing them in at theaters across the country.
3 pack in (something) a US informal : to stop using (something) forever ▪ She isn't packing in her skis [=she is not giving up skiing] just yet. ▪ I decided to pack in my paintbrushes and go to business school. b Brit informal : to give up doing (something) ▪ He packed in [=quit] his job and became a farmer. ▪ They might pack in [=stop, give up] the project altogether.
4 pack it in informal : to stop doing a job or an activity : quit ▪ Do you think we should pack it in or keep going? ▪ They were ready to pack it in for the day.
pack in/into [phrasal verb]
pack (something) in/into (something) : to put (a large amount of something) into (something) ▪ She packs a lot of information in her short essays.
pack off [phrasal verb]
pack (someone) off : to send (someone) away to a different place —usually + to ▪ Despite his protests, his mom packed him off to bed. [=sent him to bed] ▪ parents packing their kids off to college
pack on the pounds or pack on five/ten/fifteen (etc.) pounds
chiefly US informal : to gain weight or a certain amount of weight ▪ Americans are continuing to pack on the pounds. ▪ He hopes to pack on 20 pounds of muscle before the competition.
pack out [phrasal verb]
pack out (a place) Brit : to cause (a place) to be filled with people ▪ The band still packs out stadiums throughout the world. : to fill (a place) ▪ Over 600 people packed out the theatre.
pack up [phrasal verb]
1 pack up or pack up (something) or pack (something) up a : to gather things together so that you can take them with you ▪ He packed up and left town. ▪ You may take a few minutes to pack up your things, but then you must leave. ▪ You should pack up your tools at the end of the day. b Brit informal : to stop or quit : to give up doing (something) ▪ She packs up when things become difficult. ▪ She packed up her teaching job after five years.
2 Brit informal : to stop working properly ▪ The lift has packed up, so you'll have to take the stairs to her flat.
2 Brit informal : to stop working properly ▪ The lift has packed up, so you'll have to take the stairs to her flat.
pack your bags
: to leave a place ▪ I told him to shape up or he could pack his bags. ▪ He said goodbye and packed his bags for Denmark.
send (someone or something) packing —see send
—pack·able 
/ˈpækəbəl/ adjective [more pack*able; most pack*able] ▪ packable clothing
/ˈpækəbəl/ adjective [more pack*able; most pack*able] ▪ packable clothing