Shipment: meaning, definitions and examples

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shipment

 

[ ˈʃɪpmənt ]

Context #1 | Noun

logistics

The action of transporting goods or items from one place to another.

Synonyms

cargo, delivery, transport.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shipment

Reused word from above, denoting goods being sent, often through logistics and supply chain channels.

  • Details of the shipment were emailed to the customer
delivery

Commonly used for the act of bringing goods to their final destination, usually to the end customer. Often used in consumer contexts.

  • The delivery of the new furniture is expected this afternoon
transport

Broad term that can refer to the act of moving goods or people from one place to another. It encompasses both personal and commercial contexts.

  • The transport of medical supplies needs to be handled with care
cargo

Refers specifically to the goods carried by a large vehicle like a ship, plane, or truck. Often used in the context of transportation industries.

  • The cargo ship is scheduled to dock at the port tomorrow

Examples of usage

  • The shipment of the new products arrived at the warehouse today.
  • The company uses a reliable courier service for their international shipments.
Context #2 | Noun

business

A batch of goods that are sent together, typically for commercial purposes.

Synonyms

consignment, dispatch, load.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shipment

Use 'shipment' when referring to the process or activity of shipping goods, typically over long distances or internationally.

  • The shipment of electronics will arrive by next week.
  • We are tracking the shipment online to ensure it reaches on time.
consignment

Use 'consignment' when referring to goods that are sent to another person or place for sale or storage. Often used in commerce and retail.

  • The store received a consignment of new clothing this morning.
  • Payments will be made once the consignment is sold.
dispatch

Use 'dispatch' when referring to the act of sending someone or something to a destination. Also commonly used in logistics and emergency services.

  • The dispatch of the spare parts will be handled this afternoon.
  • An emergency dispatch was sent to the accident site immediately.
load

Use 'load' when referring to the quantity of items that can be transported at one time, often in the context of vehicles or machinery carrying goods.

  • The truck's load was inspected before departure.
  • They needed to balance the load to ensure safe travel.

Examples of usage

  • The manufacturer sent a large shipment of electronics to the retailer.
  • The shipment of clothing items was delayed due to bad weather conditions.
Context #3 | Noun

online shopping

The delivery of products ordered online to the customer's address.

Synonyms

delivery, delivery service, shipping.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shipment

Refers to the action of sending goods, especially in large quantities. Often used in logistics and business contexts.

  • We are expecting a new shipment of books next week
  • The shipment was delayed due to bad weather
delivery

The process of bringing goods to a recipient. Commonly used in retail and commerce.

  • Your delivery will arrive by Tuesday
  • The company offers free delivery on all orders
shipping

General term for the process of transporting goods, especially by sea or air. Often used in e-commerce and international trade.

  • The cost of shipping is included in the price
  • Shipping to international destinations may take longer
delivery service

A business or part of a business that specializes in delivering goods. Frequently used in contexts where the focus is on the service aspect.

  • They started a new delivery service for groceries
  • The delivery service guarantees same-day delivery

Examples of usage

  • The customer tracked the status of their shipment online.
  • The company offers free shipment for orders above a certain amount.

Translations

Translations of the word "shipment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 envio

🇮🇳 शिपमेंट (shipment)

🇩🇪 Sendung

🇮🇩 pengiriman

🇺🇦 відправлення

🇵🇱 wysyłka

🇯🇵 出荷 (shukka)

🇫🇷 expédition

🇪🇸 envío

🇹🇷 gönderi

🇰🇷 배송 (baesong)

🇸🇦 شحنة (shuhna)

🇨🇿 zásilka

🇸🇰 zásielka

🇨🇳 发货 (fā huò)

🇸🇮 pošiljka

🇮🇸 sending

🇰🇿 жөнелту (jöneltu)

🇬🇪 გადაზიდვა (gadazidva)

🇦🇿 göndərmə

🇲🇽 envío

Etymology

The word 'shipment' originated from the verb 'ship', which has roots in Old English and Old Norse. It has evolved over time to specifically refer to the transportation of goods or items from one place to another. With the growth of global trade and e-commerce, the concept of shipments has become integral to logistics and business operations.

See also: ship, shipbuilding, shipmate, shippable, shipper, shippers, shipping, ships, shipwrecked.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,893, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.