Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large vessel for transporting people or goods by water: A ship is a large boat designed for sea travel, typically carrying passengers or cargo.
   • A sailing vessel with a specific rig: Historically, a ship refers to a sailing vessel with three or more masts and square sails.

2. Verb:

   • To send or transport something, especially by sea or another carrier: To ship goods means to send them from one place to another, often over long distances.
   • To take on or employ someone to work on a ship: To ship a crew means to hire sailors for service on a vessel.
   • To embark or travel on a ship: To ship means to go on board a vessel for travel.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The cargo ship arrived at the port this morning.
  • He served as a captain on a merchant ship for twenty years.

• Verb:

  • We will ship the order to you within five business days.
  • The company decided to ship the new product by air freight.
  • Many young men shipped as sailors to see the world.

Advanced Usage

• "To ship out": To leave, especially by ship, or to send something/someone away.

  • The troops shipped out for overseas duty.
  • We need to ship out these packages before noon.

• "When one's ship comes in": When one finally achieves success or wealth.

  • He's always dreaming of what he'll buy when his ship comes in.

• "To run a tight ship": To manage an organization or group in a very strict and efficient way.

  • The new manager runs a tight ship, so be prepared to work hard.

Variants and Related Words

• Shipment (n): The act of sending goods, or the goods sent.

  • The next shipment is due next week.

• Shipping (n): The transport of goods, or the body of ships belonging to a port, country, etc.

  • The cost of shipping is included in the price.

• Shipper (n): A person or company that sends goods by ship or other carrier.

  • The shipper is responsible for packaging the goods correctly.

Synonyms

• Vessel (n): A ship or large boat.
• Freight (v): To transport goods.
• Dispatch (v): To send off to a destination.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Ship off: To send someone away, often unceremoniously.

  • His parents shipped him off to boarding school.

• Ship over: To re-enlist or sign on for another tour of duty, especially in the navy.

  • After his leave, he decided to ship over for another two years.

Related Idioms

• Abandon ship: To leave a failing enterprise or situation.

  • When the company started losing money, many investors decided to abandon ship.

• Spaceship (n): A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space. (Note: This is a distinct compound noun, not a usage of the target word 'ship' alone).

  • The science fiction movie featured a sleek spaceship.

Noun

1. a vessel that carries passengers or freight

Verb

1. place on board a ship
   • ship the cargo in the hold of the vessel
2. travel by ship
3. go on board
4. hire for work on a ship
5. transport commercially