Shipping

'ʃɪpɪŋ

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

The process of sending goods from one place to another, especially by ship, train, plane, or truck.

'ʃɪpɪŋ

nounneutralBeginner
General

The process of transporting goods.

The shipping costs for the heavy package were surprisingly low.

💡 Simply: Shipping is like the journey your online order takes from the store to your house! It's how things get delivered.

👶 For kids: Shipping is when things travel from one place to another, like when your toys come to your house!

More Examples

2

The company offers international shipping to most countries.

3

We are experiencing delays in shipping due to the weather.

How It's Used

Business

"The company handles all aspects of shipping, including customs and insurance."

E-commerce

"Free shipping is often a key factor in attracting online customers."

Logistics

"Efficient shipping is crucial for timely delivery of goods."

2

The act of sending goods via a means of transportation.

'ʃɪpɪŋ

verb - present participleneutralBeginner
Literature

The act of sending goods.

We are shipping all orders as quickly as possible.

💡 Simply: Shipping is the *action* of sending something somewhere. Like, 'I am shipping this book to my friend.'

👶 For kids: Shipping is the same as sending things! 'I am shipping this letter to Grandma'

More Examples

2

The company is currently shipping a new line of products.

3

The products are being shipped directly from the manufacturer.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is shipping products to customers worldwide."

E-commerce

"The website is currently shipping orders within 2-3 business days."

Tip:Imagine you are actively putting a package on a ship to go somewhere.
3

The desire or act of supporting a romantic relationship between two fictional characters or real people.

'ʃɪpɪŋ

nouninformalmedium
General

A romantic pairing or relationship, often in media.

Fans have been shipping the two actors since they started working together.

💡 Simply: When you're 'shipping' someone, you're rooting for them to be together romantically – like hoping two characters in a movie will fall in love!

👶 For kids: Shipping is when you want two people or characters to be friends or maybe even have a crush on each other.

More Examples

2

The show's creators often acknowledge and play with fan-made ships.

3

The ship sparked a huge fan base.

How It's Used

Fan Culture

"Many fans are passionate about the ship between the two main characters."

Online Communities

"The ship has a very large fanbase, especially on social media platforms."

Tip:Picture two characters 'sailing' together into a romantic relationship (like a ship).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

Shipping and Handling

The combined cost of transporting and preparing a product for delivery, including packaging and handling.

"The website charges an additional fee for shipping and handling."

Out to sea

Away from the usual or traditional activities or place

"After the layoffs, the company's strategy was out to sea."

From Middle English *shippynge*, from Old English *scipung* ('shipping, navigation'), from *scip* ('ship') + *-ung* (suffix forming nouns of action).

The term 'shipping' has been used since the Middle Ages to refer to the transportation of goods by water.

Memory tip

Think of the process of getting your online order delivered to your door.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"to put (goods) on board a ship for conveyance; send by ship; carry by ship"

shipping costsinternational shippingfree shippingfast shippingshipping and handling

Common misspellings

shipingshippng

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written