cargo
KAR-goh
/ˈkɑːr.ɡoʊ/
Goods or merchandise carried aboard a ship, aircraft, or motor vehicle.
Refers broadly to the physical goods being transported, regardless of packaging or ownership.
The story behind the word. The word entered English in the 16th century via Spanish traders. 'Cargar' meant to load a cart or ship, descending from Late Latin 'carricare', which built upon 'carrus'—the ancient Roman two-wheeled baggage cart.
Word relationships
- freight: Freight often emphasizes the commercial payment or transport service, whereas cargo emphasizes the goods themselves.
- shipment: Shipment focuses on a specific batch of goods dispatched together under one transaction.
Commonly confused with
- payload: Payload refers strictly to the weight-bearing revenue capacity of a vehicle, while cargo refers to the goods.
Word family
- cargos / cargoes (noun): Plural form referring to multiple distinct shipments or types of goods.
Collocations
- cargo space
- cargo container
- precious cargo
- air cargo
Example sentences
- "The container vessel safely delivered its heavy cargo of manufacturing machinery to the terminal." Maritime logistics context
- "Securing high-value cargo requires tamper-evident seals and continuous GPS monitoring during transit." Supply chain report
Memory hook
Think of a CAR GOing down the highway packed full of boxes. CAR GOes carrying goods.
When not to use
Do not use 'cargo' to refer to human passengers or personal luggage carried by hand.
Fun facts
- The famous linguistic paradox notes that we send cargo by ship, but freight by truck.
Related words
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