shipping
SHIH-pihng
Shipping (noun) means the business or process of transporting goods. Example: “Shipping delays pushed the delivery back a week.”
noun
1
The business or process of transporting goods.
"Shipping delays pushed the delivery back a week."
"Her uncle works in shipping and spends weeks at the docks."
"Rising fuel costs have affected shipping across the world."
2
The fee charged for delivering an ordered item.
"Shipping cost more than the item itself."
"The website offers free shipping on orders over a certain amount."
"I was annoyed to see extra shipping added at the checkout."
3
Ships collectively, belonging to a nation, port, or industry.
"Storms disrupted shipping across the whole region."
"Fog in the harbour forced all shipping to stay in port overnight."
"The navy was sent to protect merchant shipping in the busy strait."
How to use shipping
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSending goods, the cost of doing so, or ships as a group.
Common pairings
free shipping
shipping cost
shipping delay
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Word forms
- Plural
- shippings
Fill the gap
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_____ delays pushed the delivery back a week.
Etymology
From ship plus -ing, originally meaning "to take ship" or "to equip a vessel" in Old and Middle English.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shipping
tipping
dipping
ripping
nipping
sipping
yipping
whipping
slipping
dripping
clipping
gripping
flipping
See all rhymes for shipping →
Frequently asked questions
What does “shipping” mean?
The word “shipping” means the business or process of transporting goods. In plain terms, sending goods, the cost of doing so, or ships as a group.
How do you pronounce “shipping”?
“Shipping” is pronounced SHIH-pihng (/ˈʃɪpɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shipping” in a sentence?
Here is “shipping” used in a sentence: “Shipping delays pushed the delivery back a week.”
What part of speech is “shipping”?
“Shipping” is a noun.
Where does the word “shipping” come from?
The word “shipping” comes from Middle English. From ship plus -ing, originally meaning "to take ship" or "to equip a vessel" in Old and Middle English.
Is “shipping” a common word?
“Shipping” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “shipping” have?
“Shipping” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the business or process of transporting goods.
What does "shipping" mean?
Shipping is the business or process of transporting goods from one place to another, whether by sea, air, road, or rail. Despite its link to ships, the word covers any method of moving cargo — from a small parcel sent to your door to freight carried across oceans.
What is the difference between shipping and delivery?
Shipping is the whole process of preparing and sending goods and moving them toward the customer. Delivery is the final step — the goods arriving at their destination. Shipping begins when an order leaves the seller; delivery is the moment it reaches the buyer's hands.
What are the types of shipping?
Shipping is often grouped by speed and by method. By timing there is standard, expedited, and overnight; by transport mode there is sea, air, rail, and road freight. There is also domestic versus international shipping, plus options like courier, parcel, and freight services depending on the size and urgency of the goods.
What is the difference between shipping and freight?
Shipping is the general process of transporting goods of any size. Freight usually refers to larger, bulk commercial cargo and to the charge for moving it. All freight is shipped, but an everyday parcel is shipping without being called freight. Freight tends to mean heavier loads moved in bulk.
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