Pronunciation: [ʃˈɪpɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "shipping" is pronounced /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/ and spelled as it is pronounced, with the "sh" sound represented by "sh", the "ih" sound represented by "i", the "p" sound represented by "p", the "ih" sound represented by "i" again, and the "ng" sound represented by "ng". The word refers to the transportation of goods by ship, and its spelling is consistent with most English words, which are spelled phonetically.
Shipping is a term with multiple meanings depending on the context. In the realm of commerce, shipping refers to the process of transporting goods or products from one location to another, often across different geographical regions. This encompasses all the activities involved in the physical movement of goods, including packaging, labeling, loading, securing, transportation, and delivery to the intended destination. It is an integral part of the supply chain, ensuring that products reach their customers or designated points of distribution.
In the context of e-commerce or fan culture, shipping takes on a different meaning. It refers to the act of supporting or imagining a romantic relationship between fictional characters, celebrities, or even real individuals. This phenomenon gained popularity through fan fiction and online communities, where fans express their desire for a romantic connection between two or more characters by referring to them as a "ship" or by "shipping" them. It can also extend to real-life relationships, where people endorse or fantasize about the compatibility of a couple.
Ultimately, shipping is a versatile term encompassing commercial transportation and the fandom community's expression of relational desires. Its definition varies depending on the industry or subculture it is associated with, but it revolves around the idea of moving goods or cultivating imaginary or real romantic connections.
Ships or vessels collectively; tonnage.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "shipping" is derived from the Middle English word "shippen", which was used to refer to the act of transporting goods or people by ship. The Middle English term itself can be traced back to the Old English word "scipian", meaning "to put or send on board a ship". This ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word "skipon", indicating "a ship". The root can be further traced to the Old Norse word "skipa", which also means "to equip a ship" or "to put in order". Thus, the etymology of the word "shipping" revolves around the concept of transporting goods and people by ship.
