consignment

Everyday

1. A load of goods that is sent or delivered to someone at one time. tree →
2. (formal) The act of sending or handing something over to someone to look after or sell. tree →
3. «On consignment»: goods are left in a shop to sell, and the owner is paid only when they are sold. tree →

In the lessons

Used in business, shops, shipping and maths word problems about deliveries (a consignment of 400 boxes). Tells the reader that a batch of things arrived or was sent together. Phrases: «a consignment of», «a new consignment», «on consignment».

Examples

• A consignment of books arrived at the library today. tree →
• The shop is waiting for a new consignment of bikes. tree →
• A consignment of 240 apples was shared between 8 shops. tree →
• The ship carried a large consignment of bananas. tree →
• The police found a consignment of fake trainers. tree →
• She sells her paintings on consignment at the gallery. tree →
• Each consignment is checked before it leaves the warehouse. tree →

Note

Countable: one consignment, two consignments. Formal or business word; in everyday talk people say «delivery», «load» or «shipment». In maths, a consignment is the total amount; you often divide it into equal parts or add several consignments together.