# backpack

/ˈbækˌpæk/ (US) · /bˈækpæk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/backpack
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a bag for the back

noun · CEFR A2

a bag with straps that go over your shoulders so you can carry it on your back.

For teachers: a bag supported by two shoulder straps and worn on the back, typically used by students or hikers.

- He put his heavy textbooks in his backpack before walking to school.
- The hiker adjusted the padded straps of her backpack to distribute the weight more evenly across her hips before starting the steep ascent.

### 2. to hike and camp

verb · CEFR B1

to go hiking and stay overnight in nature, carrying everything you need on your back.

For teachers: to hike and camp overnight in wilderness areas while carrying all necessary equipment and supplies in a backpack.

- We plan to backpack through the national park for three days this summer.
- They spent the entire month of July backpacking across the rugged terrain of the Sierra Nevada, relying solely on the supplies they could carry.

Usage: The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

### 3. to travel cheaply

verb · CEFR B1

to travel to different places for a long time with very little money and only one bag.

For teachers: to engage in low-cost, independent travel, often staying in hostels and using public transport.

- After finishing university, she decided to backpack around Europe for six months.
- Many students choose to backpack through Southeast Asia during their gap year to experience diverse cultures on a limited budget.

Usage: Often used to describe international travel by young adults.

## Examples

- I put my books in my backpack before school.
- She packed her heavy backpack with enough water and snacks for the long hike up the mountain.
- Modern ergonomic designs distribute the weight of a backpack across the hips and shoulders to prevent strain during extended periods of travel or trekking.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.