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

Subjects were instructed to take the supplement for a week prior to drinking, rather than the single pre-party dose instructed on the packet. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025

Air force helicopters would fly packets of pills and chunks of crystal methamphetamine to cities and ports for distribution overseas, former pilots said. —Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024

There's no need to add additional salt to this recipe; the seasoning packets have plenty on their own. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2024

Tips • Use the dressing packet in Fresh Express Salad Kits to save time instead of making the dressing from scratch. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024

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

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