What does shipping mean?
Shipping is the process of moving goods or other items from one place to another, especially by ship, but also by truck, train, and aircraft. The word commonly refers to a commercial service or system: a retailer may offer free shipping, advertise shipping costs, or ask customers to provide a shipping address. In this context, shipping describes both the transportation itself and the arrangements that make it possible. As a verb, shipping is the present participle of ship, as in a statement that a company is shipping products to customers. Although shipping originally had a strong association with maritime transport, modern usage encompasses nearly every form of commercial delivery. The term also appears in shipping containers, shipping lanes, and shipping notices. In everyday language, ship out can mean leaving or departing, especially in an informal or hurried sense.
The act or process of transporting goods or other items from one place to another, especially by ship, truck, train, or aircraft; also the business of providing such transport.
"Shipping to remote islands can take considerably longer."
Usually an uncountable, mass noun in general business and commercial contexts.
Relating to the transportation of goods or to the services and arrangements involved in sending them.
"The website asks customers to check their shipping address before ordering."
Common in commerce, logistics, and online retail.
The present participle and gerund of ship: transporting or sending by ship, or more broadly sending goods or items.
"The manufacturer is shipping a new batch of equipment this week."
Also used informally in ship out, meaning to leave or depart.
Rare in modern usage; separate acts or consignments are normally called shipments. The plural shippings is occasionally used in technical or older contexts.
"The company recorded separate shippings for each of its three warehouses."
Before trucks and cargo planes, the world’s great freight highways were its shipping lanes—and the word has carried that sense ever since.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shipping come from?
Shipping is formed from ship, an Old English word of Germanic origin, with the English suffix -ing. The word first developed in connection with the movement of people and goods by ship and was later extended to other forms of transport. Related forms such as shipment and shipper were derived from the same base. Its maritime history remains evident in terms such as shipping lane, although contemporary shipping commonly refers to road, rail, and air freight as well.
Related word forms
How shipping is actually used
As a noun, shipping is usually a mass noun and does not take a plural in ordinary usage. As an adjective, it is common in commerce and logistics. The verb form is normally used as a present participle or gerund; the expression ship out is informal and can mean to leave quickly.
Easily confused with shipping
Shipping is the process or service of transporting goods, whereas a shipment is the particular consignment or load being transported.