A kit is a collection of tools, materials, or equipment packed together for a specific purpose. A first-aid kit contains bandages, antiseptic wipes, and other supplies for treating minor injuries. A model airplane kit includes all the pieces you need to build a miniature plane: tiny wooden parts, glue, decals, and instructions. A camping kit might hold a flashlight, matches, a compass, and other essentials for outdoor adventures.

The idea behind a kit is convenience: instead of hunting down each item separately, everything you need comes together in one package. Scientists use lab kits with chemicals and equipment for experiments. Artists buy drawing kits with pencils, erasers, and paper. During emergencies, an earthquake kit or hurricane kit contains food, water, and supplies to help families stay safe.

The word also appears in some interesting phrases. When someone arrives somewhere with their kit and caboodle, they've brought absolutely everything they own. A toolkit can mean actual tools in a box, or it can refer to a set of skills someone uses to solve problems, like when a teacher has a toolkit of strategies for helping students understand difficult concepts.