# logistics

/ɫəˈdʒɪstɪks/ (US) · /lədʒˈɪstɪks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/logistics
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. business and supply chain

noun · CEFR B2

the business of moving goods and information from where they are made to where they are used.

For teachers: the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet requirements of customers or corporations.

- The company is looking for a manager to handle the logistics of their international shipping.
- Efficient logistics are essential for e-commerce giants that promise next-day delivery across vast geographical regions.

Usage: Usually treated as a singular noun despite the 's' ending.

### 2. military operations

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the practical task of providing soldiers with food, equipment, and a way to move around.

For teachers: the branch of military science having to do with procuring, maintaining, and transporting material, personnel, and facilities.

- The army failed because they didn't plan the logistics of getting food to the front lines.
- Historians argue that the campaign was won not by superior firepower, but by the superior logistics that kept the troops supplied throughout the winter.

Usage: Often used in the context of large-scale troop movements or long-term deployments.

### 3. general organization

noun · CEFR B2

the practical details that must be organized for a complicated event to happen.

For teachers: the practical arrangements and coordination required for any complex event or activity.

- We need to figure out the logistics of getting everyone to the wedding on time.
- The logistics of moving a three-hundred-person film crew to a remote desert location proved to be a nightmare for the production team.

Usage: Frequently used in the plural to refer to specific tasks or challenges.

## Examples

- The logistics of moving the whole office took weeks of planning.
- The company hired a specialist to handle the logistics of shipping their products to international markets.
- While the marketing campaign was a creative success, the project ultimately failed because the underlying logistics could not support the sudden surge in consumer demand.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.