Shipping

Definition

Shipping can refer to the transport of goods by sea or other means, or in a modern context, it can also refer to the endorsement of a romantic relationship between characters in works of fiction.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (present participle)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/
• Respelling: SHIP-ing (with "SHIP" as in "ship," and "ing" as in "sing")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/
• Respelling: SHIP-ing (with "SHIP" as in "ship," and "ing" as in "sing")

In both dialects, "shipping" is pronounced with the initial "sh" sound followed by a short "i" sound as in "bit," then the "p" sound, and ending with the "ing" sound. The primary stress is on the first syllable, "SHIP."

Etymology

The word "shipping" derives from the Old English word "scipian," which means to create or arrange. The modern use of the term to refer to the transport of goods by water came into usage around the 14th century. The modern fandom-related meaning derives from the word "relationship" and started to gain traction in online communities in the early 21st century.

Derivatives

• Shipper
• Shipment
• Shipping container

Synonyms

Noun

• Freight
• Cargo

Verb (present participle)

• Transporting
• Conveying

Antonyms

Noun

• Receiving
• Unloading

Usage

The term "shipping" is commonly used in commerce to refer to the process of transporting goods, and in modern internet culture to refer to the endorsement of romantic relationships between characters in fictional works or celebrities.

Related Terms

• Logistics
• Transportation
• Freight

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Transport of Goods: The process of transporting goods by sea or other means.
• Example: The shipping of the products will take around two weeks.

• Fandom Relationships: In a fandom context, shipping refers to the endorsement or desire by fans for a romantic relationship between two characters, usually fictional.
• Example: There's a lot of shipping in the fandom between those two characters.

Verb (present participle)

• Transporting Goods: The act of sending goods from one place to another, especially by sea.
• Example: We are shipping the goods to the overseas warehouse.

• Endorsing Relationships: In a fandom context, the act of endorsing or supporting a romantic relationship.
• Example: Fans are shipping those two characters hard this season.