What does shuttle mean?
A shuttle is a conveyance that makes regular journeys between two places, such as a bus connecting an airport with a hotel or a train serving a city and its suburbs. The word also refers to the famous Space Shuttle, a reusable spacecraft, and to a small tool used in weaving to pass thread across a loom. As a verb, shuttle describes moving people, goods, or information back and forth, usually on a repeated basis. In badminton, a shuttle is another name for the shuttlecock. Across these meanings, the central idea is movement between two points, whether by transport, machinery, or repeated travel. The word is especially useful in transport and space contexts, where it distinguishes a regular connecting service or reusable vehicle from a one-off journey.
A vehicle, spacecraft, or conveyance that travels regularly between two places; also a weaving device or a badminton projectile.
"The university runs a shuttle between the campus and the railway station."
When referring to badminton's feathered projectile, shuttle is commonly used as a short form of shuttlecock.
To travel or move regularly between two places, especially on repeated journeys.
"She shuttles between London and Edinburgh for work."
Often implies frequent or regular journeys.
The plural is formed by adding -s to the singular noun.
"Several airport shuttles were waiting outside the terminal."
The word shuttle describes both a spacecraft and a short-distance transport service: in both cases, the key idea is moving between two points.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shuttle come from?
The modern English word comes through Middle English forms such as schutel from an Old English scutel, an old term associated with a weaving tool or small vessel. The word's older history is not entirely transparent, and proposed connections with unrelated words should be treated cautiously. In later English, its range expanded beyond weaving and transport to include regularly scheduled vehicles and, eventually, the Space Shuttle.
Related word forms
How shuttle is actually used
In transport contexts, shuttle usually implies regular, repeated journeys between fixed points. In the space context, it is often capitalized as part of the official name Space Shuttle. In badminton, shuttle is an informal shortening of shuttlecock.
Easily confused with shuttle
A shuttlecock is the feathered projectile struck in badminton and squash, whereas a shuttle is the vehicle or device that carries people, cargo, or thread.
To scuttle is to move quickly or cause something to sink, while to shuttle is to travel regularly or repeatedly between two places.