plural noun
Large boats that travel on the sea and carry people or goods.
The cargo ships sailed across the ocean.
Many cruise ships stopped at the island.
American English
How to pronounce ships
noun · verbB1Very common word
SHIHPS
/ʃɪps/
One syllable.
Form of ship
Ships can be a plural noun or the third-person singular form of the verb ship.
Large boats that travel on the sea and carry people or goods.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
third-person singular verb
Sends goods or a package to a person or place, usually through a delivery service.
The company ships orders within two business days.
This store ships packages to every state.
third-person singular verb
Carries people or goods by sea, especially over long distances.
The company ships oil from the Middle East to Europe.
The carrier ships cars across the Pacific.
third-person singular verb
Supports or wants two people, especially fictional characters, to become a romantic couple.
She ships those two characters.
Many fans ships Maya with Leo.
Good to know
In online talk, ships means wants two people to be a couple. It does not mean sends them.
Useful expressions
to leave, especially to begin military service, or to send someone away
He shipped out for basic training in June.
to leave a group or organization, especially when it is having problems
Several employees jumped ship after the merger.
the cost of sending an item and preparing it for delivery
Shipping and handling are free on this order.
Related words & forms
The past and -ing forms double the final p: shipped, shipping.