plural backpacks
1
a
: a pack (see pack entry 1 sense 1a) that usually has two shoulder straps and is carried on the back: such as
(1)
: a large pack (as of canvas or nylon) that is supported by an external or internal frame (as of aluminum) and is used especially for carrying supplies when hiking and camping
The logistics of the trip required that I carry all my stuff in a backpack. Since I didn't want to lug too heavy a load on the hiking leg of the trip, I pared way down.—
Daisann McLane
Daisann McLane
(2)
: a bag or small pack (as of canvas, polyester, or nylon) used for carrying personal belongings or supplies : knapsack
I rode my bicycle to the market and rode home with my backpack full of exotic lettuces and basil-garlic baguettes.—Meredith Maran
Meredith MaranEach morning, tens of thousands of moms load phones, along with homework, into the backpacks of schoolchildren.—Michael Specter
Michael Specter
b
: a load carried on the back
2
: a piece of equipment designed for use while being carried on the back
By wearing a jet-propelled "space backpack," astronauts will be able to move freely in space, making it possible to build, repair, and maintain craft in orbit …—Business Week
Business WeekI'm soaring above the central Sahara in a powered paraglider, a single-seat aircraft that looks like a flying lawn chair. Developed in France, it combines an inflated, parachute-like wing with a 50-pound motorized backpack.—George Steinmetz
George Steinmetz
backpacked; backpacking; backpacks
: to carry (food or equipment) on the back especially in hiking
: to hike with a backpack
backpacker
noun
Examples of backpack in a Sentence
Noun
stuffed her backpack with so many books that she could barely walk
Verb
After college, she backpacked through Europe.
We're planning to go backpacking in a national park this summer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brie Stimson , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
In the clip, taken on board a train at Penn Station, New York City, a dog sits hunched over on a seat between what appears to be the owner and a backpack.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
My plan was to spend two months traversing Europe in a classic post-college backpacking extravaganza, and then meet up with my mom for the last two weeks of the trip.
—Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpack
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The unidentified teens allegedly punched the man in the face and hit him with a backpack before running away.
—Brie Stimson , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
In the clip, taken on board a train at Penn Station, New York City, a dog sits hunched over on a seat between what appears to be the owner and a backpack.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
The traveler, who is from Monmouthshire in Wales, was backpacking through North America at the time.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
My plan was to spend two months traversing Europe in a classic post-college backpacking extravaganza, and then meet up with my mom for the last two weeks of the trip.
—Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpack
Cite this Entry
“Backpack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backpack. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share