packing

Pluralpackings (some meanings)

1. 1
   noununcountable

   The work of putting clothes and other things into bags or cases before a trip.

   Like fitting all your things into one bag before you leave home.

   She left her packing until the night before the trip.

   The packing took longer than the drive to the airport.

   Oppositeunpacking

   Note
2. 2
   noununcountable

   The material that wraps or covers a product so it can be sold or shipped.

   Like the soft padding that keeps eggs safe inside a carton.

   The fragile vase arrived undamaged thanks to the thick packing inside the box.

   Workers stripped away the plastic packing before stacking the cans on the shelf.

   Similarpackaging, wrapping

   Note
3. 3
   noununcountable

   Soft material packed around a moving part to stop water or air from leaking out.

   Like stuffing a rag around a leaky pipe to keep water from getting out.

   A new piece of packing around the pipe joint stopped the leak.

   The packing inside the faucet had worn out, so water dripped all night.

   Similarseal, gasket, stuffing

   Note
4. 4
   noununcountable

   Money charged to pay for wrapping and boxing an order before it is sent.

   Like the extra few dollars a store adds to box up your order before mailing it.

   The price included shipping and packing, so there were no surprises at checkout.

   She complained that the packing added five dollars to a cheap order.

5. 5
   verb

   Present participle of pack. Use this form for the action happening right now or as a name for the activity.

   She is packing her bags for the trip.

   Packing for a long vacation always takes me hours.

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The way objects are fitted together to fill a space.

   Like fitting marbles into a jar so that few empty spaces are left.

   The packing of the oranges left no gaps in the crate.

   A tight packing of the bricks made the wall very strong.

   Similararrangement, configuration

   Note
7. 7
   nounUSabbreviationclipping

   Short way of saying meatpacking, the business of preparing meat.

   Her grandfather worked in packing for thirty years, cutting up beef at the big plant outside town.

   The town grew up around the packing plants by the river.

   Note
8. 8
   noununcountable

   The way rugby players come together to form a scrum.

   Like teammates locking their arms tightly together before they push.

   The packing of the forwards was slow, and they lost the ball.

   Good packing helps a team win the scrum.

   Note
9. 9
   noununcountable

   Material put inside a container to help a chemical process work better.

   Like filling a jar with small beads so the liquid spreads over more of them.

   The tower was filled with packing to help the gases mix.

   Engineers poured fresh packing into the column before the test.

   Note
10. 10
    noununcountable

    The coming together of animals or birds into one group.

    Like animals crowding close together to form one big group.

    The packing of the wolves into one group keeps them safe in winter.

    Bird watchers saw the packing of the starlings before the long flight.

    Similargathering, grouping

    Oppositedispersal, scattering

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