shuttle

noun shut·tle \ ˈshə-tᵊl \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of shuttle

1 a : a device used in weaving for passing the thread of the weft between the threads of the warp

b : a spindle-shaped device holding the thread in tatting, knotting, or netting

c : a sliding thread holder for the lower thread of a sewing machine that carries the lower thread through a loop of the upper thread to make a stitch

2 : shuttlecock

3 a : a going back and forth regularly over an often short route by a vehicle

b (1) : an established route used in a shuttle

(2) : a vehicle used in a shuttle

a shuttle bus

c : space shuttle

—

shuttleless

adjective

See shuttle defined for English-language learners

See shuttle defined for kids

Examples of shuttle in a Sentence

A shuttle takes people from the parking lot to the airport.

Recent Examples of shuttle from the Web

The Dolphins will also be asking five or six defensive ends to shuttle in and out as the downs, distance and endurance dictate.

— armando salguero, miamiherald, "The Miami Dolphins' plan for turning disappointing defensive line around for 2018 season," 30 May 2018
The Wick will shuttle you around in a six-person electric shuttle to Warren Street and environs, chock-a-block with antique shops (skewed toward mid-century modern, natch), boutiques, restaurants, and the Hudson Opera House.

— BostonGlobe.com, "A wick(ed) good time at this former candle factory," 16 May 2018
The Stay & Play package starts at $99 a night and includes a $25 gift card to Dave & Busters and a free shuttle to and from the restaurant/game emporium.

— dawn gilbertson, azcentral, "12 cheapest Phoenix, Scottsdale hotel deals for summer 2018," 15 May 2018
Stays include round-trip sea shuttle from St. Maarten and a sumptuous breakfast buffet at 20 Knots overlooking the sea.

— melanie reffes, USA TODAY, "Summer's on sale at luxurious Caribbean resorts," 15 May 2018
Hike: Park the rental and catch the Trailhead Direct shuttle from Eastgate Freeway Park ’n’ Ride to one of several trailheads in the Issaquah Alps.

— crystal paul, The Seattle Times, "Seattle beyond the Space Needle: Pick an itinerary and explore this summer," 14 May 2018
Many of the companies in the area have started their own private shuttles for their employees.

— alissa walker, Curbed, "How multimodal city councilor Michelle Wu gets around Boston," 9 May 2018
Adding some physical features to the empty sidewalk, Reiner said, can create a hub of activity and spark conversations while students wait for their shuttles.

— yvonne wenger, baltimoresun.com, "Hub planned at Baltimore Penn Station for college students, travelers in new public space," 9 May 2018
Borderless CEOs shuttle from one country to another in pursuit of efficiencies.

— The Economist, "Rulers of the world: read Karl Marx!," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shuttle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of shuttle

Middle English shittle, shutle, from Old English scutel, scytel dart; akin to Old Norse skutill bolt, Old English scēotan to shoot — more at shoot

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

shuttle

verb

Definition of shuttle

shuttled; shuttling play \ˈshət-liŋ, ˈshə-tᵊl-iŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to cause to move or travel back and forth frequently

2 : to transport in, by, or as if by a shuttle

shuttled them to school

intransitive verb

1 : to move or travel back and forth frequently

2 : to move by or as if by a shuttle

See shuttle defined for English-language learners

Examples of shuttle in a Sentence

We shuttled between the city and the country all summer.
A bus shuttled people from the parking lot to the dock.

Recent Examples of shuttle from the Web

Only shuttles and taxis will be able to drive down Central Avenue during the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Heads up, 2018 Kentucky Derby attendees: Churchill Downs has changed parking and gates," 10 Apr. 2018
The idea here is to shuttle visitors from the Las Vegas convention center to resorts out on the strip.

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "Technology Week," 19 May 2018
When prisoners are released, the state Department of Correction shuttles them to drop-off points around Connecticut.

— jenna carlesso, Courant Community, "Hartford Re-Entry Center To Open At City Hall This Summer," 1 May 2018
Getting there Parking, shuttles: There is no parking at Quail Hollow Club.

— charlotteobserver, "Fans’ guide to Wells Fargo Championship: How to get there, get in and what’s allowed | Charlotte Observer," 1 May 2018
For four months, the intensely private composer shuttled by overnight train from one hotel to another, conducting and serving as piano soloist on his own works.

— joshua kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, "Symphony program harks back to a visit by Ravel," 20 Apr. 2018
The idea is that these vehicles will be fully autonomous and have the ability to shuttle people from Point A to Point B. Morgan Stanley believes the mobility as a service will be delayed by a year.

— kirsten korosec, Fortune, "4 Reasons Why Morgan Stanley Slashed Tesla's Price Target By 23%," 15 May 2018
Seoul, which shuttled between Washington and Pyongyang to set up the Trump-Kim meeting, has said Kim has genuine interest in dealing away his nuclear weapons in return for economic benefits.

— Washington Post, "North Korea says it will dismantle nuke test site May 23-25," 12 May 2018
Seoul, which shuttled between Washington and Pyongyang to set up the Trump-Kim meeting, has said Kim has genuine interest in dealing away his nuclear weapons in return for economic benefits.

— kim ton-hyung, BostonGlobe.com, "North Korea says it will begin shutting down nuclear test site this month," 12 May 2018

First Known Use of shuttle

1550

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SHUTTLE Defined for English Language Learners

shuttle

noun

Definition of shuttle for English Language Learners

: a vehicle that travels back and forth between places
: a pointed tool that is used to weave cloth by pulling a thread from side to side across other threads