Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder: A knapsack is a flexible container, typically made of cloth, with shoulder straps, designed for carrying personal belongings, supplies, or equipment on one's back.

Usage

• A knapsack is used for carrying items conveniently while keeping the hands free. It is commonly associated with hiking, school, travel, or daily commuting.
• It is typically worn over both shoulders but can sometimes be carried on one shoulder.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She packed her lunch and a water bottle into her knapsack before the hike.
  • The student's knapsack was filled with heavy textbooks.
  • He slung his knapsack over his shoulder and headed out the door.

Advanced Usage

• "To shoulder a knapsack": To put on or carry a knapsack.
  • The soldiers shouldered their knapsacks and began the long march.

Variants and Related Words

• Backpack (n): A very close synonym for knapsack, often used interchangeably in modern English, though "backpack" is more common in American English.
• Rucksack (n): A term more common in British English, often implying a larger, sturdier bag used for hiking or military purposes.
• Haversack (n): A smaller bag, often with a single shoulder strap, historically used by soldiers for rations.

Synonyms

• Pack: A general term for a bag carried on the back (e.g., daypack).
• Kitbag: A bag for holding a soldier's or traveler's kit.

Phrasal Verbs

(This word is a noun and does not have associated phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms specifically featuring the word "knapsack".)

Noun

1. a bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder