knapsack

noun

knap·​sack ˈnap-ˌsak How to pronounce knapsack (audio)
plural knapsacks
: a bag (as of canvas or nylon) strapped on the back and used for carrying supplies or personal belongings : backpack sense 1a(2)
But the 12-year-olds were dumping landslides of books into knapsacks and getting ready to leave, and all I could do was follow them out through the turnstiles and into the start of another summer.Meg Wolitzer
He had a Polaroid camera around his neck and a knapsack on his back.Brian Selznick
knapsacked adjective

Examples of knapsack in a Sentence

grabbed my knapsack from the hook and ran to catch my ride
Recent Examples on the Web Now, the water comes in plastic bottles, and one of the trackers will always have a knapsack full of them. David E. Petzal, Field & Stream, 31 Jan. 2024 My trusty knapsack has come with me on European adventures and weekend trips, but sadly it’s begun to show the signs of wear and tear after years of regular use. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2024 Katz said investigators also found knapsacks with firearms, smoke bombs, extra magazines, a baton, pepper spray, food and water bottles. Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2024 But instead of a knapsack, Mr. Cohen, 28, a reservist who had recently returned from fighting in Gaza to attend the university’s orientation, unshouldered his military-issue Tavor assault rifle and took a seat in the back of the class. Adam Sella, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2024 Before then, each contestant had been permitted a knapsack of clothing items, including some survival gear. Bennett Madison, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2023 Soldiers carried their own teddy bears, tucked into knapsacks, during both world wars. Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023 The knapsack task also can facilitate comparisons across people with and without ADHD, the researchers added. Judy George | Medpage Today, ABC News, 15 June 2023 Participants selected items of varying weights and values to maximize the value of the knapsack's contents. Judy George | Medpage Today, ABC News, 15 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knapsack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Low German knappsack or Dutch knapzak, from Low German & Dutch knappen to make a snapping noise, eat + Low German sack or Dutch zak sack

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knapsack was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near knapsack

Cite this Entry

“Knapsack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knapsack. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

knapsack

noun
knap·​sack ˈnap-ˌsak How to pronounce knapsack (audio)
: a carrying case or pouch slung from the shoulders over the back

More from Merriam-Webster on knapsack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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