general cargo

American  

[jen-er-uhl kahr-goh] / ˈdʒɛn ər əl ˈkɑr goʊ /

noun

Transportation.

1. goods that are shipped as components, loaded and unloaded piece by piece, transported in individual barrels, drums, crates, etc., or on pallets; break bulk cargo.

   Our stowage methods for household appliances, automotive parts, farm equipment, and other general cargo follow a strict code of practice.

---

Etymology

Origin of general cargo

First recorded in 1835–40

Example Sentences

Our Strait is used by between 30,000 and 36,000 large ships annually, including tankers, bulk carriers, and container and general cargo carriers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The containers, which carried general cargo such as clothes, furniture, shoes and electronics, mysteriously fell overboard while the vessel was “in the process of offloading” at Pier G around 9 a.m., according to U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

The waiting time was longer for general cargo vessels, dry bulk carriers and tankers transporting liquefied petroleum gas.

From Reuters • Sep. 2, 2023

Vessels carrying vehicles, general cargo, and heavy lift vessels, as well as multi-purpose vessels, will see a 14% increase up from 7%, according to the canal.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 22, 2022

Jobs on general cargo ships were prized most; they usually spent a week or two at port, giving the crew plenty of time to investigate the area.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers