Definition

Noun: 1. The act of consigning; the delivery of goods for sale or disposal: This refers to the process of sending goods to someone, typically an agent, with the agreement that they will sell the goods on behalf of the sender. The sender retains ownership until the goods are sold. 2. A batch of goods consigned: This refers to the specific shipment or load of goods that are sent together under such an agreement. 3. (Formal/Legal) The official act of consigning a person to confinement: This is a formal usage referring to the act of committing someone to an institution, such as a prison or hospital.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to the act or agreement:

  • The artist sent her paintings to the gallery on consignment.
  • Our company only accepts goods on consignment, meaning we pay you after they sell.

• Referring to the batch of goods:

  • The latest consignment of fruit arrived at the warehouse this morning.
  • We are checking the contents of the consignment against the packing list.

Advanced Usage

• "On consignment": This is the most common phrase, describing the commercial arrangement where goods are delivered to an agent for sale, with payment due only after the sale is made.
  • The boutique sells local jewelry on consignment.
• "Consignment note": A document listing the goods being sent and the terms of the consignment agreement. (Note: This is a related compound term).
• "Consignment shop/store": A retail establishment that sells goods on behalf of individuals, taking a percentage of the sale price. (Note: This is a related compound term).

Variants and Related Words

• Consign (verb): To send or deliver (goods) for sale or to entrust to someone's care.
  • They will consign the furniture to an auction house.
• Consignor (noun): The person or company that sends the goods.
• Consignee (noun): The person or company that receives the goods to sell or care for them.

Synonyms

• Shipment: A load of goods sent by any method of transportation. (This overlaps with the "batch of goods" meaning but does not imply the specific sales agreement.)
• Delivery: The act of bringing goods to a recipient. (This is more general and does not specify the commercial terms.)
• Batch: A quantity of goods produced or sent at one time.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To be consigned to oblivion/history: (Idiomatic) To be completely forgotten or relegated to the past.
  • That outdated technology has been consigned to history.
• To consign something to the flames: (Formal/Idiomatic) To burn something deliberately.
  • He consigned the old letters to the flames.

Noun

1. the delivery of goods for sale or disposal
2. the official act of consigning a person to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital)
3. goods carried by a large vehicle