pac

Everyday

1. (US, politics) PAC: political action committee, a group that collects money to help elect politicians or support causes. tree →
2. Part of names, such as Pac-Man (a famous video game) and the Pac-12 (a group of US university sports teams). tree →
3. (informal) Short for package or pack in some names and shops. tree →

In the lessons

In US news and politics, PACs and «super PACs» raise and spend money in elections. Children most often meet «Pac» in Pac-Man, the yellow circle that eats dots in a maze game from 1980. On its own it is not an everyday English word.

Examples

• Pac-Man eats dots and runs from ghosts. tree →
• The PAC spent money on adverts before the election. tree →
• A super PAC can spend huge amounts on political adverts. tree →
• Dad played Pac-Man when he was a boy. tree →
• The news said many PACs gave money to both parties. tree →
• Pac-Man was made in Japan in 1980. tree →

Note

Not a full English word on its own; an abbreviation or part of a name. Usually written in capitals (PAC) for the politics meaning. Do not confuse with «pack» (a group or a bag) or «pact» (an agreement).