carrying something in a pack on the back
"the backpacking of oxygen is essential for astronauts"
hiking and camping overnight in backcountry with one's gear carried in a backpack.
"After months of saving, she finally embarked on her first trip to the Rockies, spending three nights backpacking through dense forests while carrying all her supplies in a heavy pack."
In plain English: Backpacking is when you carry your own gear on your back while traveling long distances, usually by walking through nature or cities.
"The couple decided to start their adventure with just enough money for several weeks of backpacking through Southeast Asia."
Usage: Distinguish between the verb form, which describes the act of traveling light on foot, and the noun form, which refers specifically to the trip or style of travel itself. Avoid using "backpacking" as an adjective for any bag; reserve it strictly for gear designed with a specific frame and hydration system for long-distance trekking.
present participle of backpack
"The hikers were carefully checking their gear while backpacking through the dense forest."
In plain English: To backpack means to travel by carrying all your gear and supplies on your back while hiking through nature.
"We spent three weeks backpacking through the Swiss Alps in search of hidden alpine lakes."
The word combines the noun backpack with the suffix -ing to describe the act of carrying a pack on one's back while traveling or hiking. It entered English as a straightforward description of this common outdoor activity without any shift in original meaning.