shipping

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The transportation of goods.

   “From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much.[…] But viewed from high up in one of the growing number of skyscrapers in Sri Lanka’s capital, it is clear that something extraordinary is happening: China is creating a shipping hub just 200 miles from India’s southern tip.”

2. (countable, uncountable)The body of ships belonging to one nation, port or industry; ships collectively.

   “Our overplus of shipping will we burn; / And, with the rest full-mann’d, from the head of Actium / Beat the approaching Caesar.”

   “[…] the Advantage appeared greatly on their Side, in Numbers of Shipping, and of Men;”

   “My first afternoon, on reaching New Bedford, was spent in visiting the wharves and viewing the shipping.”

   “Shipping of every sort, from passenger liners to ferry steamers, tramps to tugs and trailing barges, feluccas to speedboats and yachts, from warships to caiques, chugs, hoots, glides or churns its way in all directions.”

   “[…] I clearly remember a castle on the shores of the lagoon, where gondolas appeared amid larger shipping, which seemed to be plying in and out of Naples […]”

3. (countable, uncountable)Passage or transport on a ship.
4. (countable, uncountable)The cost of sending an item or package using postal or carrier services.

   “The shipping is included in the quoted price.”

5. (countable, uncountable)Navigation.

   “God send 'em good shipping.”

6. (slang, uncountable)The desire by followers of a fandom for two or more people, either real-life people or fictional characters, to be in a romantic or sexual relationship.

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of ship