Parcel Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of PARCEL

[count]

1

:

a section or area of land

• Several 10-acre parcels (of land) are available.
• a parcel of real estate

2

:

a box or large envelope that is usually given, sent, or delivered to a person

• The parcel [=(chiefly US) _package_] was shipped today.
• She was carrying several brown paper parcels. [=boxes wrapped in heavy brown paper]

— see picture at mail

part and parcel of

— see 1part

Britannica Dictionary definition of PARCEL

parcel off

[phrasal verb]

parcel (something) off

or

parcel off (something)

:

to divide (something, such as land) into separate, smaller parts especially in order to sell it

• The property was eventually parceled off and sold in pieces.

parcel out

[phrasal verb]

parcel (something) out

or

parcel out (something)

:

to divide or share (something) among different people, groups, etc.

• The money was parceled out [=_distributed_] to local charities.
• They plan to parcel the tickets out in a lottery.
• We need to stop parceling out the blame for this problem and start working on a solution.

parcel (something) up

or

parcel up (something)

British

:

to wrap (something) or put (something) into a box in order to mail it to someone

• The paintings have all been parcelled up.