unpack

verb

un·​pack ˌən-ˈpak How to pronounce unpack (audio)
unpacked; unpacking; unpacks

transitive verb

1
a
: to remove the contents of
unpack a suitcase
b
: unburden, reveal
must … unpack my heart with wordsWilliam Shakespeare
2
: to remove or undo from packing or a container
unpacked his gear
3
: to analyze the nature of by examining in detail : explicate
unpack a concept
4
: decompress sense 2
unpack a compressed file

intransitive verb

: to engage in unpacking a container
unpacker noun

Examples of unpack in a Sentence

It's been a year since I moved here and I still haven't unpacked all of my books. I unpacked my suitcase as soon as I arrived home. By the time we got to the hotel, I was too tired to unpack. She's good at unpacking complex concepts.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Together, the duo unpacked some of the most significant moments of Season 3 — and discussed what fans can look forward to in Season 4. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 June 2025 Below, Lampert unpacks the heaviness of season three, choosing to show different sides of Georgia and Ginny, the decision to ultimately not convict Georgia for murder and teases season four (as well as her hopes for a fifth season). Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025 Like Sirens, Big Little Lies unpacks the complexities of female friendships and hidden turmoil within privileged families. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 3 June 2025 This is the first time the two teams have faced each other in a competitive fixture, so there is no historical data to look at, but there are clues from the run-in to the final, so allow The Athletic to unpack some key tactical themes that might emerge. Mark Carey, New York Times, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unpack

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of unpack was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unpack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unpack. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

unpack

verb
un·​pack ˌən-ˈpak How to pronounce unpack (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to separate and remove things packed
got home and unpacked
2
: to open and remove the contents of
unpack a trunk

More from Merriam-Webster on unpack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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