Sac and sack are two words that are pronounced the same way but have different spellings and different meanings. Sac and sack are homophones. We will look at the definitions of the words sac and sack, where the words come from and some examples of their use in sentences.
A sac is a membrane shaped like a pouch that is part of a living thing. A sac is a hollow and flexible part of a plant or animal. Such a sac is usually filled with a liquid or air. The word sac is derived from the French word sac, which means bag.
A sack is a bag that is used to carry or contain something, made of thick paper, plastic, cloth, rope or another sturdy material. Sack is also used as a verb to mean to put something in a sack. Related words are sacks, sacked, sacking, sacker.
The word sack may be used as a North American slang term for a bed, as an Australian cricket term meaning to score a run from a ball that is not hit by the batsman, as an American Football term meaning to tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage, or a British term meaning to fire an employee. The word sack is ultimately derived from the Latin word saccus, which means bag.
Examples
Unlike reptiles, birds and mammals, unborn or unhatched amphibians do not develop in a special protective sac called an amniotic sac. (Science News for Students Magazine)
“Have a good day,” Marquez called out to a couple in a pickup as he leaned into the vehicle’s open window and handed the woman a filled grocery sack. (The Santa Fe New Mexican)
Todd Gurley caught a four-yard pass, Jared Goff and Kenny Britt were on different route-pages and Goff was sacked on third down. (The Los Angeles Times)
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