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REFERENCE

shipping

n. · v.
US //ˈʃɪpɪŋ// UK //ʃˈɪpɪŋ// ship·ping
  1. 1 delivery cost (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the amount of money you pay to have an item delivered to you.

    the fee charged by a carrier or retailer for the postal or courier delivery of a purchased item.

    Example

    I wanted to buy the shoes, but the shipping was too expensive.

    Example

    The total price at checkout includes the base cost of the product plus international shipping and local import taxes.
  2. 2 ships collectively (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    all the ships belonging to a particular country or used in a specific area.

    the body of ships belonging to a nation, port, or industry; a collective noun for maritime vessels.

    Example

    The lighthouse was built to protect local shipping from the dangerous rocks.

    Example

    The treaty was designed to ensure the safety of merchant shipping in international waters during the conflict.
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  1. 3 fandom romance (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    the act of supporting or wanting two characters or famous people to be in a relationship.

    the activity of supporting a romantic or sexual relationship between fictional characters or real-life celebrities, often within an online community.

    Example

    The shipping of the two main characters became a huge topic on social media.

    Example

    Fan fiction writers often engage in shipping, creating elaborate alternative universes where their favourite characters finally end up together.

    Usage

    Derived from the word 'relationship'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is very common in online fan communities and social media; it is rarely used in professional or formal contexts.
  2. 4 sending out (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the act of putting goods onto a vehicle to be sent away.

    the present participle of 'ship', referring to the physical act of dispatching goods or personnel.

    Example

    The warehouse staff are busy shipping orders before the holiday weekend.

    Example

    The manufacturer is currently shipping the new model to retailers across the country to meet the anticipated launch date.
Etymology 1

From Middle English schipping, schyppynge, from schippen, schipen (“to take ship, navigate”), from Old English scipian (“to take ship; put in order, equip, man a ship”), equivalent to ship + -ing.

Etymology 2

From ship + -ing.

Etymology 3

Clipping of relationshipping.

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