Definition of SHIP (original) (raw)
often attributive
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
4
when their ship comes in they'll be able to live in better style
Examples of ship in a Sentence
Noun
the captain of the ship He will travel by ship. Verb (1)
The goods were shipped from a foreign port. Your order is expected to ship soon. The company will ship its new software next month. The software will ship next month. The soldiers were shipped overseas for duty. When the waves increased, the boat began shipping water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tehran is also looking to retain control over the strait to deter future attacks and wants to potentially use it as a toll booth to earn billions annually from transiting ships. —
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 May 2026 The quick turnaround ship is sailing away. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026
Another person is theorizing about a 3-D printer that’s going to use Mars soil, which will allow people to build on Mars using its materials instead of shipping everything there. —Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 12 May 2026 Goldco offers dozens of gold coins that can either be shipped to your home or held in a gold IRA. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ship
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English scip; akin to Old High German skif ship
Verb (2)
verbal derivative of ship "romantic pairing of a fictional couple," shortened from relationship
Noun suffix
Middle English, from Old English -scipe; akin to Old High German -scaft -ship, Old English scieppan to shape — more at shape
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Verb (2)
1998, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of ship was before the 12th century