logistics

American  

[loh-jis-tiks, luh-] / loʊˈdʒɪs tɪks, lə- /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the branch of military science and operations dealing with the procurement, supply, and maintenance of equipment, with the movement, evacuation, and hospitalization of personnel, with the provision of facilities and services, and with related matters.

2. the planning, implementation, and coordination of the details of a business or other operation.

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logistics British  

/ lɒˈdʒɪstɪks, ˌlɒdʒɪˈstɪʃən /

noun

1. the science of the movement, supplying, and maintenance of military forces in the field

2. the management of materials flow through an organization, from raw materials through to finished goods

3. the detailed planning and organization of any large complex operation

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Other Word Forms

• logistician noun

Etymology

Origin of logistics

First recorded in 1875–80; from French logistique “quartermaster's work,” equivalent to log(er) “to lodge, be quartered (said of troops)” + -istique -istic; -ics

Explanation

When you sit down to plan a party and work out how many cups you need, where you'll put the chairs, and what time you'll start cooking, you are working out the logistics — the necessary details. Logistics can describe difficult, technical operations. Many colleges have departments of logistics, which teach students how to plan for complicated events, like wars. The term is often used in military contexts to describe how to get soldiers to a certain place with enough food, toilet paper, guns, ammunition, and transportation. You'll often hear logistics used in regular speech to describe any effort that requires some prior planning — even if it's just the logistics of picking someone up at the airport.

Example Sentences

The society had made "progress" in the past few months with logistics, insurance and licensing and planned to launch a rocket in Scotland, Rakozy, also 22, added.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Kansanback said dealers handle the tax and registration logistics routinely and have web-based tools to sort out what’s required state by state.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Roger Medina, 34, is stressed about family logistics and had not realized the threatened strike date was Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

MKG analyst Vanguelis Panayotis said the economic benefits could reach 1.2 billion euros if taking into account transportation, and all the associated expenses and logistics of Dion's support team as well as fans.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

This victory was the combined result of our own unceasing protests and simple logistics.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• coordination
• engineering
• planning
• strategy