shipping
shipping — noun
1. all the ships that belong to a particular country, company, or industry, thought
all the ships that belong to a particular country, company, or industry, thought of as a group that carries goods or people across the sea
The country's merchant shipping was badly damaged during the war, leaving many ports empty.
collocation: merchant shipping
International shipping routes across the Pacific Ocean are among the busiest in the world.
collocation: shipping routes
The government introduced new safety rules for all shipping operating in its coastal waters.
Global shipping tonnage has risen steadily as trade between nations continues to grow.
- fleet
refers specifically to a group of ships owned by one company or navy; narrower than shipping
- vessels
refers to individual ships or boats; more technical and used in legal or official contexts
- tonnage
focuses on the carrying capacity or weight of ships; used as a measure rather than a collective term
2. the business or activity of transporting products and packages between different
the business or activity of transporting products and packages between different locations by truck, plane, train, ship, or other methods
Amihan checked the shipping costs before choosing a company for her online store.
collocation: shipping costs
The table arrived with a large scratch because the shipping company had handled it carelessly.
collocation: shipping company
Many websites now offer free shipping on orders above fifty dollars.
Please double-check your shipping address before you confirm the order online.
Rodrigo works for a large shipping company that delivers packages across the country.
- freight
refers to the goods being carried rather than the activity; often used for heavy commercial cargo
- transport
broader term covering movement of people as well as goods; less specific to commercial sending of packages
- delivery
focuses on the final stage of bringing goods to the recipient; narrower in scope than shipping
用法筆記
Despite the word's origin in ship transport, this sense now covers all modes of transport, including truck, rail, air, and courier services. The shipping industry is a major part of global trade and e-commerce.