parcel
PAHR-suhl
Parcel (noun) means a wrapped package prepared for shipping or delivery. Example: “A parcel arrived on the doorstep this morning.”
noun
1
A wrapped package prepared for shipping or delivery.
"A parcel arrived on the doorstep this morning."
"She wrapped the gift into a neat brown parcel."
"The courier left the parcel with a neighbour while we were out."
2
A distinct piece or plot of land.
"The developer bought several adjoining parcels of land."
"The farmer sold a small parcel of land beside the river."
"A narrow parcel behind the houses was turned into allotments."
verb
1
To divide something into portions and distribute it, often with "out."
"The estate was parcelled out among the four siblings."
How to use parcel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wrapped package, or a distinct portion of something (often land) marked off from the rest.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
parcel of land
deliver a parcel
parcel out
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Word forms
- Plural
- parcels
- Third person singular
- parcels
- Past tense
- parceled, parcelled
Fill the gap
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A _____ arrived on the doorstep this morning.
Etymology
From Old French parcelle, "a small piece or part," from Latin particula ("particle") — parcel and particle are doublets, both descending from the same Latin root.
Related words
Rhymes for parcel
See all rhymes for parcel →Frequently asked questions
What does “parcel” mean?
The word “parcel” means a wrapped package prepared for shipping or delivery. In plain terms, a wrapped package, or a distinct portion of something (often land) marked off from the rest.
How do you pronounce “parcel”?
“Parcel” is pronounced PAHR-suhl (/ˈpɑɹsəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “parcel” in a sentence?
Here is “parcel” used in a sentence: “A parcel arrived on the doorstep this morning.”
What part of speech is “parcel”?
Depending on how it is used, “parcel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “parcel” come from?
The word “parcel” comes from Latin. From Old French parcelle, "a small piece or part," from Latin particula ("particle") — parcel and particle are doublets, both descending from the same Latin root.
Is “parcel” a common word?
“Parcel” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “parcel” have?
“Parcel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wrapped package prepared for shipping or delivery.
What is the difference between a parcel and a package?
Parcel and package are largely interchangeable terms for a wrapped item prepared for shipping, though parcel is more common in British English and package is more common in American English. Both refer to a wrapped item prepared for delivery.
Can parcel refer to land as well as a package?
Yes, parcel can also mean a distinct piece or plot of land, a sense commonly used in real estate and legal documents to describe a specific area of property separate from surrounding land.
