cash on delivery

noun

1. C.O.D.

cash on delivery

noun

1. COD. a service entailing cash payment to the carrier on delivery of merchandise

Word History and Origins

Origin of cash on delivery¹

First recorded in 1850–55

When To Use

What does cash on delivery mean?

Cash on delivery refers to an arrangement in which payment for a purchase is made directly by the purchaser to the person who delivers the item.It is commonly abbreviated as C.O.D., which can also stand for collect on delivery. Cash on delivery and C.O.D. don’t necessarily always mean that actual cash (paper money) is required (though it often used to mean this). Sometimes, a check, money order, or credit card payment will be accepted for a cash on delivery order.Cash on delivery can be used as an adverb, as in We’re shipping it cash on delivery; as an adjective, as in Our cash on delivery orders are behind schedule; and in other variations. The abbreviation C.O.D. can be used as a noun, as in Sorry, we don’t accept C.O.D.s. Example: Most of our shipments are cash on delivery, and we have a high percentage of successful payments.