packaging

noun

1

: an act or instance of packaging something or someone: such as

a

: the enclosing of something in a container or covering

… damage caused by static charge during packaging, storing, and shipping.

—Chemical & Engineering News

b

: the presentation of something or someone to the public in a way that is designed to be attractive or appealing

This is public relations: the packaging of ideas, the execution of them, and the media coverage surrounding them.

—Robert Z. Chew

2

: material used to enclose or contain something

… the flashy packaging popularized by mass merchants.

—Jan Stafford

also : a covering wrapper or container : package entry 1 sense 3

the manufacture of food packagings

Examples of packaging in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S1464/A1749) would require big companies to reduce their single-use packaging — also known as trash — by 30% over the next 12 years. —Justin Sanchez, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026

The lot code is listed on the back of the packaging and inner flow wrap. —Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

The new limited series was adapted by Zoe Kazan, in a neat bit of meta packaging. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 14 May 2026

During a search of McDaniel’s residence on Lone Oak Avenue on the same day, investigators reportedly recovered approximately 700 grams of cocaine, 300 grams of fentanyl, drug processing and packaging materials, a money counter and approximately $2,450 in cash. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

from gerund of package entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1