parcel

1 of 4

noun

par·​cel ˈpär-səl How to pronounce parcel (audio)
1
: a tract or plot of land
a parcel of real estate
2
a
: a wrapped bundle : package
The parcel was shipped today.
b
: a unit of salable merchandise
a parcel in an auction
3
: a company, collection, or group of persons, animals, or things : lot
The whole story was a parcel of lies.
a parcel of giddy young kidsMark Twain
4
a
: fragment, portion
sold his stocks by parcels
b
: a volume of a fluid (such as air) considered as a single entity within a greater volume of the same fluid

parcel

2 of 4

verb

parceled or parcelled; parceling or parcelling ˈpär-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce parcel (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to divide into parts : distribute
often used with out
2
: to make up into a parcel : wrap
3
: to cover (something, such as a rope) with strips of canvas or tape

parcel

3 of 4

adjective

parcel

4 of 4

adverb

archaic
: partly

Examples of parcel in a Sentence

Noun a parcel of real estate her absurd explanation for the collision was a parcel of lies Verb parceled out the assignments for work on the parish fair
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Tanzanian authorities in August finalized the allocation of a nearly 200-acre parcel of land in Zanzibar to Elba, who plans to build a film studio there with the working title West African Studios. Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 Municipalities use TIFs to generate development, such as in commercial areas where vacant storefronts have multiplied, or on parcels of vacant land. Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
Clocking and the secondhand joy parcelled around an acknowledgement are an effect of that first commitment, to articulate one’s own grace. Sadhbh O'Sullivan, refinery29.com, 28 Feb. 2024 The laws have collectively provided about $60 billion to the Agriculture Department, which has parceled it out across a variety of priorities, from relieving farmers’ debt to paying them to reduce their carbon emissions. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Adjective
The current record, of $147 million, was for a multi-parcel purchase by investor Barry Rosenstein. Amy Dobson, Forbes, 6 Apr. 2021 While parcel demand for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday retail peaks was higher than expected, the threat of industrial action caused customers to divert holiday packages to other companies, Royal Mail said in a statement. Anthony Palazzo, Bloomberg.com, 29 Apr. 2020 See all Example Sentences for parcel 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parcel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, Adjective, and Adverb

Middle English, from Anglo-French parcele, from Vulgar Latin *particella, from Latin particula small part — more at particle

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near parcel

Cite this Entry

“Parcel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parcel. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

parcel

1 of 2 noun
par·​cel ˈpär-səl How to pronounce parcel (audio)
1
: a part of a whole : portion
2
: a plot of land
3
: a group or collections of persons or things
told a parcel of lies
4
: a wrapped bundle

parcel

2 of 2 verb
parceled or parcelled; parceling or parcelling
ˈpär-s(ə-)liŋ
1
: to divide into parts : distribute
2
: to wrap up into a parcel

Legal Definition

parcel

noun
par·​cel ˈpär-səl How to pronounce parcel (audio)
: a tract or plot of land

More from Merriam-Webster on parcel

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