break bulk

[breyk buhlk]

adjective

Transportation.

1. of or relating to general cargo, usually manufactured goods, that is marked for individual consignees and has to be loaded and unloaded piece by piece at each point of transfer.

   Despite the dominance of container shipping, these companies continue to specialize in break bulk cargo, especially in the transport of large vehicles and agricultural equipment, which often need to be broken down into smaller components.

2. of or relating to the small, conventional cargo ships designed to hold general cargo.

   We are confident that the future of break bulk vessels is safe, with no chance of their becoming redundant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of break bulk¹

First recorded in 1615–25; break ( def. 10 ) + bulk ¹ ( def. 16 )

Related Words

• clear out 
• discharge 
• disgorge 
• dump 
• get rid of 
• jettison 
• off-load 
• remove 
• unpack