Definition

Noun: - The amount of cargo that can be held by a boat or ship: This refers to the full capacity or the total quantity of goods carried by a single vessel. It is a unit of measurement for maritime freight.

Usage

"Shipload" is used to quantify cargo transported by sea. It emphasizes the large volume or capacity of a single ship's hold. It is often used in contexts of trade, logistics, and transportation.

Examples

• The port received a shipload of grain from Argentina.
• They exported a shipload of manufactured goods to Europe.
• A single shipload of crude oil can be worth millions of dollars.

Advanced Usage

• "by the shipload": In very large quantities, often implying continuous or bulk transport.
  • The company was importing electronics by the shipload.

Variants and Related Words

• Boatload (noun): A similar term, often used interchangeably, though it can imply a smaller vessel.
• Cargoload (noun): A more general term for the amount of cargo a vehicle can hold.
• Shipment (noun): The act of sending goods, or the goods sent. A shipment can consist of one or more shiploads.

Synonyms

• Cargo load: The load of goods carried by a ship.
• Freight: Goods transported in bulk by truck, train, ship, or aircraft.
• Consignment: A batch of goods destined for or delivered to someone.

Notes

While "shipload" specifically refers to a ship's capacity, it is sometimes used figuratively to describe a very large amount of something non-physical, though this is less common (e.g., a shipload of problems). The primary and most correct usage pertains to maritime cargo.

Noun

1. the amount of cargo that can be held by a boat or ship or a freight car
   • he imported wine by the boatload