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Shuttle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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shuttle

[ˈʃʌtl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

space travel

A vehicle or aircraft used to transport people or goods back and forth between places, especially to and from space.

Synonyms

spacecraft, spaceplane, spaceship.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shuttle

When related to space, it refers specifically to a reusable spacecraft designed for transport between Earth and space.

  • NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis completed several missions to space
  • The shuttle will dock at the International Space Station tomorrow
spacecraft

A general term for any vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space. It can be manned or unmanned.

  • The spacecraft was launched to study the surface of Mars
  • They are developing a new type of spacecraft for deep space travel
spaceship

A more casual and imaginative term for a vehicle intended for or capable of traveling in space. Often used in science fiction or in a less technical context.

  • In the movie, the spaceship travels to different galaxies
  • The children were excited to read about the adventures of a spaceship in the storybook
spaceplane

Refers specifically to a vehicle that operates both in the atmosphere and in space, often resembling an airplane in design.

  • The spaceplane can take off and land on conventional runways
  • Engineers are testing a prototype spaceplane for commercial flights

Examples of usage

  • The crew boarded the shuttle for their journey to the International Space Station.
  • The shuttle successfully returned to Earth after completing its mission.
Context #2 | Noun

transportation

A bus or train that travels regularly between two places.

Synonyms

bus, shuttle bus, train.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shuttle

A shuttle is typically a vehicle that travels regularly between two points, often for purposes like airport transport or between different locations within a campus or business area.

  • The airport provides a shuttle service to the nearby hotels
  • The university has a shuttle that runs between the dormitories and the main campus
bus

A bus is a large road vehicle designed to carry many passengers, usually running along a fixed route and on a fixed schedule within towns or cities or for longer distances.

  • I take the bus to work every morning
  • The number 25 bus will take you straight to the city center
train

A train is a series of connected carriages or cars that move along tracks to transport people or goods over longer distances, often between cities or different regions.

  • He commutes to the city by train every day
  • The train to Boston departs from platform 5
shuttle bus

A shuttle bus is specifically a bus that runs back and forth between two points, often a short distance, and typically for purposes like transporting people to and from airports, hotels, or events.

  • The airport shuttle bus leaves every 30 minutes
  • Guests can use the hotel's shuttle bus to get downtown

Examples of usage

  • The shuttle to the airport leaves every hour from the city center.
  • The hotel offers a free shuttle service to the nearby attractions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Transportation

  • The space shuttle program was active from 1981 to 2011, completing 135 missions and contributing to the construction of the International Space Station.
  • Many cities have shuttle services for airports, making travel easier and reducing congestion.

Science and Technology

  • The word 'shuttle' is also used in particle physics to describe a process where particles exchange energy, demonstrating motion and interaction.
  • The first modern shuttles were designed in the 20th century, significantly advancing space exploration capabilities.

Pop Culture

  • In the film 'Star Wars,' spaceships are often referred to as shuttles, which transport characters between planets.
  • The term 'shuttle' is frequently used in video games to describe a quick travel mechanic between locations.

Sports

  • In badminton, the shuttlecock is the object hit back and forth during the game, crucial for scoring points.
  • The term 'shuttle run' refers to a fitness test where participants run back and forth between two points, showcasing speed and agility.

Origin of 'shuttle'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'shuttle' comes from the Old English 'sceotol,' meaning to 'shoot' or 'send,' reflecting its back-and-forth motion.
  • In weaving, a shuttle helps weave thread into fabric, symbolizing movement and connection through its action across the loom.

The word 'shuttle' originated from the Middle English word 'shutel', which is derived from the Old English word 'scytel'. The term has been used since the 14th century to refer to a device used in weaving to carry the weft thread back and forth. Over time, the term evolved to also refer to vehicles or aircraft that transport people or goods back and forth between places.

See also: shut, shutdown.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,944, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.