ship
SHIHP
Ship (noun) means a large vessel built to carry people or cargo across water. Example: “We watched a huge ship slowly sail under the bridge.”
noun
1
A large vessel built to carry people or cargo across water.
"We watched a huge ship slowly sail under the bridge."
"The cruise ship left the harbour at dawn."
"Cargo ships carry most of the world's traded goods."
verb
1
To send goods to a buyer or recipient, by any form of transport.
"Could you ship this parcel to my sister in Spain?"
"We ship orders within 24 hours of purchase."
"The factory ships parts to dealers across the country."
2
To release a finished product to the public; to launch.
"We plan to ship the finished game before the holidays."
"The developers shipped a fix for the bug last night."
"The team finally shipped the new app update."
3
(informal, fandom) To want two characters or people to be in a romantic relationship.
"I ship those two characters, and so do most of my friends."
"Many readers ship the detective and her partner in the novels."
"Fans have shipped the two lead characters since season one."
How to use ship
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large boat, or the act of sending something (a package, a product, or even a hoped-for couple) on its way.
Common mistake
"Ship" as a fan term (wanting two characters together) is unrelated to the boat or delivery meanings — context makes it obvious which sense is meant.
Common pairings
ship an order
ship a product
aboard a ship
ship two characters
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Word forms
- Plural
- ships
- Third person singular
- ships
- Past tense
- shipped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We watched a huge _____ slowly sail under the bridge.
Etymology
From Old English scip, tracing back to a Proto-Germanic word for a vessel, ultimately possibly linked to a root meaning "to cut" or "to hollow out" — as ships were once made from hollowed logs.
Related words
Rhymes for ship
See all rhymes for ship →Frequently asked questions
What does “ship” mean?
The word “ship” means a large vessel built to carry people or cargo across water. In plain terms, a large boat, or the act of sending something (a package, a product, or even a hoped-for couple) on its way.
How do you pronounce “ship”?
“Ship” is pronounced SHIHP (/ˈʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “ship” in a sentence?
Here is “ship” used in a sentence: “The cruise ship left the harbour at dawn.”
What part of speech is “ship”?
Depending on how it is used, “ship” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ship” come from?
The word “ship” comes from Old English. From Old English scip, tracing back to a Proto-Germanic word for a vessel, ultimately possibly linked to a root meaning "to cut" or "to hollow out" — as ships were once made from hollowed logs.
Is “ship” a common word?
“Ship” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “ship” have?
“Ship” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large vessel built to carry people or cargo across water.
What is the difference between a ship and a boat?
Size is the main distinction. A ship is a large, ocean-going vessel built for long voyages and heavy loads; a boat is smaller and usually used on rivers, lakes or near the coast. A common saying is that a ship can carry a boat, but a boat cannot carry a ship.
What are the different types of ships?
Ships are grouped by their purpose. Cargo ships and tankers move goods and oil; container ships carry stacked freight; cruise ships and liners carry passengers; and naval ships such as destroyers and aircraft carriers serve the military. Fishing vessels and ferries are further everyday examples.
Why are ships referred to as 'she'?
It is a long nautical tradition rather than a rule. Sailors have for centuries spoken of their ships as "she," often out of affection and respect, much as one might a cherished protector. The custom is fading — many modern writers and registers now simply use "it."
What is the largest ship in the world?
The largest ships are supertankers and the newest cruise liners, both stretching over 300 metres — longer than three football pitches. Giant container ships now carry more than twenty thousand containers at once. These vessels rank among the biggest moving structures humans have ever built.
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