What does consignment mean?
Consignment refers to a shipment or batch of goods that one party sends to another, usually so the receiving party can sell, distribute, or store them on the sender's behalf. In everyday commerce, it most often appears in the phrase 'on consignment,' describing an arrangement in which a shop, gallery, or agent holds items and pays the original owner only if and when those items are actually purchased. This makes the word central to industries like art dealing, resale shops, and wholesale trade, where risk is shared between sender and seller. Consignment can also simply mean the act of dispatching goods, as in shipping and logistics contexts. Derived from the verb 'consign,' which traces back to Latin roots meaning to mark or entrust, the noun carries a practical, businesslike tone. Understanding consignment helps clarify how modern retail and trade relationships function.
nounA consignment is a batch of goods sent to someone, typically to be sold, delivered, or stored on the sender's behalf. It also refers to the act or process of sending such goods.
- A quantity of goods sent or delivered to a person or place, especially for sale or transfer.
- The act of consigning; the process of sending something.
"The gallery took the paintings on consignment and paid the artist only after they sold."
"The retailer received a large consignment of winter clothing from the manufacturer."
"The museum accepted the artifacts on consignment from a private collector."
Standard plural form, used when referring to multiple shipments or lots of goods.
"Several consignments of medical supplies arrived at the port last week."
That secondhand jacket you bought may have traveled through a 'consignment shop' — where the seller never gets paid unless the item actually sells.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of consignment
Consignment derives from the verb 'consign,' which entered English from French 'consigner,' ultimately rooted in the Latin 'consignare,' meaning to mark with a seal or to entrust formally. This Latin root combines 'com-' (together) with 'signare' (to mark or seal), linking consignment to words like 'assign,' 'design,' and 'signature.' The noun emerged in English during the late Middle Ages and early modern period as trade expanded, reflecting the growing need to describe batches of goods entrusted to merchants or agents.
Related word forms
How consignment is actually used
Common in commercial and trade contexts; slightly formal register. The phrase 'on consignment' specifically means goods are held by a seller who pays the owner only when the items are sold — a common arrangement in art galleries, thrift stores, and resale shops.
Easily confused with consignment
Consignment refers to sending or delivering goods; commitment refers to a pledge or obligation to do something.