shipping

Everyday

1. Shipping is the sending of goods from one place to another, by sea, air, road or post. tree →
2. Shipping is the cost of sending things you buy, as in free shipping. tree →
3. Shipping means all the ships of an area or country, as in shipping lanes. tree →
4. Shipping is the -ing form of ship: sending something. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, online shops charge for shipping or offer free shipping. In geography, busy shipping lanes cross the oceans and ports handle shipping containers. In the UK the Shipping Forecast on radio gives sea weather. In maths problems shipping is often a cost added to a price.

Examples

• The game costs 20 dollars plus 5 dollars shipping. tree →
• The shop offers free shipping on orders over 30 pounds. tree →
• The English Channel is full of shipping. tree →
• Shipping containers are stacked high at the port. tree →
• They are shipping the parcel tomorrow. tree →
• Fog can be dangerous for shipping. tree →
• Dad listens to the Shipping Forecast at night. tree →

Note

As a noun it is uncountable: no a shipping, no shippings. In maths: total cost = price + shipping; free shipping means add 0. Shipping (UK English too) is used for posting goods even when no ship is involved; British people also say postage or delivery.