ship

Short definition: The word ship refers to a large sea vessel built for long journeys, used to transport passengers, cargo, or perform specialized tasks, commonly traveling across oceans and major waterways.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word ship? This word is very common in everyday English and is closely connected to travel, trade, and the sea. A ship is built to move people or goods across water, often over long distances. You’ll hear it in conversations about oceans, ports, history, and global commerce. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, with enough detail to feel human and clear.

Forms: ship, ships, shipped, shipping
Related: vessel n., cargo n., port n.
Syllable: ship

1. (Noun) A large sea-going vessel designed to carry people or goods across water.

   A ship is a large watercraft built to travel on seas or oceans. Ships are commonly used for international trade, long journeys, and sometimes tourism. They are bigger and stronger than small boats and are designed to handle rough water. This is the most common and literal meaning of the word.

   The ship crossed the ocean carrying thousands of containers.
   Passengers watched the sunset from the deck of the ship.
   The old ship had sailed the same route for decades.

   Synonyms: vessel, sea vessel, cargo ship, passenger ship, ocean liner, maritime vessel, freight ship, seagoing craft, transport ship, commercial vessel, watercraft, naval ship
   Antonyms: car, bus, train, truck, airplane, helicopter, land vehicle, road transport, ground vehicle, walking, on foot, aircraft

2. (Verb) To send or transport goods or items from one place to another.

   To ship something means to send it to a destination, often by truck, ship, or airplane. This usage is very common in business, online shopping, and logistics. It focuses on the movement of goods rather than the vehicle itself. The meaning is practical and widely used in daily life.

   The company will ship your order within two days.
   They shipped the furniture overseas.
   The seller promised to ship the package tomorrow.

   Synonyms: send, deliver, transport, dispatch, mail, forward, transfer, move goods, freight, post, carry, distribute
   Antonyms: receive, keep, hold, store, retain, collect, accept delivery, pick up, stop shipment, cancel sending, withhold, stock

3. (Verb) To support or imagine a romantic relationship between characters or people.

   In informal and online contexts, ship means hoping two people will be or stay in a romantic relationship. This usage is common in fandoms, social media, and pop culture discussions. It is playful and emotional rather than literal. The meaning comes from the word “relationship.”

   Fans really ship the two main characters.
   She started to ship them after watching the series.
   Online communities love to ship fictional couples.

   Synonyms: support a couple, root for a pairing, imagine romance, favor a relationship, pair up mentally, romanticize characters, hope they end up together, endorse a couple, back a pairing, fantasize a relationship, cheer a romance, like them together
   Antonyms: oppose a pairing, dislike the couple, reject the romance, deny the relationship, break up support, ignore the pairing, separate characters, avoid romantic ideas, criticize the couple, disapprove of the match, end support, dismiss the ship