First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1ship
noun, often attributive \ˈship\
: a large boat used for traveling long distances over the sea
: a large airplane or spacecraft
Full Definition of SHIP
1
a : a large seagoing vessel b : a sailing vessel having a bowsprit and usually three masts each composed of a lower mast, a topmast, and a topgallant mast
2
: boat; especially : one propelled by power or sail
3
: a ship's crew
4
: fortune 3 <when their ship comes in they'll be able to live in better style>
5
See ship defined for English-language learners
See ship defined for kids
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Origin of SHIP
Middle English, from Old English scip; akin to Old High German skif ship
2ship
verb
: to send (something) to a customer
: to send (a new product) to stores so that it can be bought by customers
: to send (someone) to a place that is usually far away
shippedship·ping
Full Definition of SHIP
transitive verb
1
a : to place or receive on board a ship for transportation by water b : to cause to be transported <shipped him off to prep school>
2
obsolete : to provide with a ship
3
: to put in place for use <ship the tiller>
4
: to take into a ship or boat <ship the gangplank>
5
: to engage for service on a ship
6
: to take (as water) over the side —used of a boat or a ship
intransitive verb
1
: to embark on a ship
2
a : to go or travel by ship —often used with out b : to proceed by ship or other means under military orders —often used with out
3
: to engage to serve on shipboard
4
: to be sent for delivery <the order will ship soon>
— ship·pa·ble \ˈshi-pə-bəl\ adjective
See ship defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SHIP
14th century
Related to SHIP
SHIP[1] Defined for Kids
1ship
noun \ˈship\
Definition of SHIP for Kids
1
: a large boat designed for travel by sea
3
: a vehicle for traveling beyond the earth's atmosphere <a rocket ship>
2ship
verb
shippedship·ping
Definition of SHIP for Kids
1
: to cause to be transported <The grain was shipped by rail.>
2
: to put or receive on board for transportation by water
3
: to send (someone) to a place <They shipped her off to boarding school.>
4
: to take into a ship or boat <ship oars> <ship water>
5
: to sign on as a crew member on a ship
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