fulfillment
ful-FIL-ment
/fʊlˈfɪlmənt/
The process of receiving, packaging, and shipping orders to customers.
In modern business, it specifically refers to the 'last mile' or the final steps of getting a product to a buyer.
The story behind the word. It literally means 'to fill full'. In a business sense, you are 'filling' the customer's request or 'filling' the empty space in their order history with the actual product.
Word relationships
- execution: Execution is the carrying out of a plan; fulfillment is specifically completing an order for a customer.
- non-performance: Failure to complete the required tasks or deliver the promised goods.
Commonly confused with
- shipping: Shipping is just the transport; fulfillment includes picking the item off the shelf and packing it.
Word family
- fulfill (verb): To carry out a task or satisfy a requirement.
Collocations
- fulfillment center
- order fulfillment
- fulfillment partner
Example sentences
- "Amazon's fulfillment centers are masterpieces of automation and human labor." E-commerce Operations
- "The fulfillment of the contract was delayed by unforeseen labor strikes at the port." Legal/Contractual
Memory hook
When you 'fill' a box and 'full'-y send it, that is fulfillment. Filling the order.
When not to use
Avoid using it in a business context if you mean emotional satisfaction, unless the context is clear.
Fun facts
- The term 'Fulfillment House' was used as early as the 1950s for companies that handled mail-order catalogs.
Related words
Explore more words
supply chain, closing, compliance, deployment, workflow, deliverables
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