manifest
MAN-uh-fest
/ˈmæn.ə.fest/
An official document summarizing all cargo, passengers, and crew carried on a commercial transport vehicle.
Refers to the master summary list presented to customs officials and terminal managers.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'manifestus', meaning caught red-handed or clearly visible. In maritime commerce, it became the list that made the contents of a vessel 'plainly evident' to authorities.
Word relationships
- cargo list: Cargo list is an informal term, whereas manifest is a legally binding regulatory document.
- bill of lading: A bill of lading acts as a legal contract of carriage per shipment, while a manifest summarizes all shipments on a vehicle.
Commonly confused with
- manifestation: Manifestation refers to a visible physical sign or psychological expression of something.
Word family
- manifested (verb/adjective): Documented on a formal manifest; or clearly revealed.
Collocations
- cargo manifest
- freight manifest
- shipping manifest
- electronic manifest
Example sentences
- "Customs officers cross-referenced the cargo containers against the ship's official manifest." Customs inspection site
- "The truck driver handed the paper freight manifest to the security desk prior to gate entrance." Trucking check-in gate
Memory hook
MANI-FEST: A document held in the MANO (hand) detailing the total freight. Master list of all cargo on board.
When not to use
Do not confuse with an individual item's invoice; a manifest lists everything on board.
Fun facts
- Digital 'e-manifests' are now mandatory for commercial trucks entering borders in North America to enable automated pre-screening.
Related words
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