metapackage
also: virtual package, task package, bundle package
A metapackage is a lightweight package that contains no files of its own but instead depends on other packages, used to simplify installation of related software groups.
A metapackage (also called a virtual package or task package) is a special type of software package that serves as a convenient wrapper. It contains no executable files, libraries, or configuration files itself—only a list of dependencies on other packages.
Metapackages are commonly used by distributions to group related software together. For example, a distribution might provide a kde-full metapackage that depends on dozens of KDE components. Installing the metapackage automatically installs all its dependencies with a single command.
Another common use is providing build-essential on Debian/Ubuntu systems, which depends on gcc, make, libc-dev, and other tools needed for compilation. Users can simply apt install build-essential instead of installing each tool individually.