packet

noun

pack·​et ˈpa-kət 

1

a

: a small bundle or parcel

b

: a small thin package

c British

(1)

: pay envelope

(2)

: salary, paycheck

d

chiefly British : a considerable amount

that trip will cost a packet

2

a

: a number of letters dispatched at one time

b

: a small group, cluster, or mass

3

: a passenger boat usually carrying mail and cargo

4

British : a pack of cigarettes

5

: a short fixed-length section of data that is transmitted as a unit in an electronic communications network

Synonyms

• bundle
• pack
• package
• parcel

Examples of packet in a Sentence

I got two packets of broccoli seeds to plant this summer.

He puts two packets of sugar in his coffee.

Could you get me another packet of ketchup?

Your information packet includes a map and a schedule of all the events at the conference.

I received the packet of legal papers today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Celsius Hydration Feel refreshed and revitalized with Celsius Hydration caffeine-free hydration packets. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

The other one strutted on a box of gravy packets in the kitchen’s dry goods area. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025

To put that into perspective, consider that each packet of Maurten’s bestselling GEL 100 contains 25 grams of carbs. —Devin Kelly, Outside Online, 3 Apr. 2025

The incident happened when Havel attempted to deliver a packet of information to Slater’s boat in 2020. —Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pekette, pakat, from Anglo-French pacquet, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch pak pack

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing packet

• pay packet
• press packet
• wave packet

Rhymes for packet

• bracket
• jacket
• racket
• racquet
• straitjacket

Kids Definition

packet

noun

pack·​et ˈpak-ət 

1

: a passenger boat carrying mail and cargo on a regular schedule

2

: a small bundle or parcel