noun
Common
cargo
KAH-goh
Cargo (noun) means Goods carried by a ship, plane, or truck. Example: “The lorry driver checked that the cargo was tied down securely before setting off.”
noun
1
Goods carried by a ship, plane, or truck.
"The lorry driver checked that the cargo was tied down securely before setting off."
"The ship's cargo included grain and machinery parts."
"Customs officers inspected the cargo before it left the port."
How to use cargo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFreight being transported by ship, plane, or vehicle.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
cargo ship
cargo hold
a shipment of cargo
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Word forms
- Plural
- cargos, cargoes
- Third person singular
- cargos
- Past tense
- cargoed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lorry driver checked that the _____ was tied down securely before setting off.
Etymology
From Spanish cargo ("load"), from cargar ("to load"), from Late Latin carricāre — a doublet of the English word "charge."
Related words
Rhymes for cargo
See all rhymes for cargo →Frequently asked questions
What does “cargo” mean?
The word “cargo” means goods carried by a ship, plane, or truck. In plain terms, freight being transported by ship, plane, or vehicle.
How do you pronounce “cargo”?
“Cargo” is pronounced KAH-goh (/ˈkɑɹɡoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cargo” in a sentence?
Here is “cargo” used in a sentence: “The ship's cargo included grain and machinery parts.”
What part of speech is “cargo”?
“Cargo” is a noun.
Where does the word “cargo” come from?
The word “cargo” comes from Late Latin. From Spanish cargo ("load"), from cargar ("to load"), from Late Latin carricāre — a doublet of the English word "charge.".
Is “cargo” a common word?
“Cargo” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between cargo and freight?
Cargo refers to the goods themselves that are carried by a ship, plane, or truck. Freight can mean the same goods, but it also commonly refers to the transport service and the charge paid for carrying them, so all cargo is freight but the word 'freight' covers the process and cost too.
What is the difference between cargo and luggage?
Cargo is commercial goods transported for trade or delivery, often in bulk. Luggage (or baggage) is the personal belongings that travellers carry with them, so the two are handled and documented separately even on the same vehicle.
Is the plural of cargo 'cargos' or 'cargoes'?
Both spellings are accepted, but 'cargoes' is the more traditional and widely used form in English. 'Cargos' also appears, particularly in American writing.
What preposition is used with cargo?
The word cargo is typically followed by 'of' when naming the goods, as in 'a cargo of grain' or 'a cargo of oil.' You also say goods are carried 'as cargo.'
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