shipping

noun

ship·​ping ˈshi-piŋ How to pronounce shipping (audio)
1
a
: passage on a ship
b
: ships
c
: the body of ships in one place or belonging to one port or country
2
: the act or business of one that ships

Examples of shipping in a Sentence

The fruit was ready for shipping. They protected our shipping from submarines during wartime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sales forms can be customized to include information related to shipping, discounts, service dates, tips, payment terms, late fees and more. Mia Taylor, CNBC, 27 June 2025 As far as completing its objective goes, Walmart has already made plenty of inroads to swifter shipping. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 June 2025 The Bear Elite Hybrid comes with free shipping, a 120-night sleep trial, and a limited lifetime warranty. Julia Forbes, Wired News, 25 June 2025 Another option would be to seek to close the Strait of Hormuz, fully or partly, by attacking shipping or by laying mines. Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shipping

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of shipping was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Shipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shipping. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

shipping

noun
ship·​ping
ˈship-iŋ
1
: the body of ships in one place or belonging to one port or country
2
: the act or business of one that ships goods
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!