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Synonyms

shipper

1 American  
[ship-er] / ˈʃɪp ər /

noun

  1. a person who ships goods or makes shipments.

shipper 2 American  
[ship-er] / ˈʃɪp ər /

noun

Slang.

  1. a person who discusses, writes about, or hopes for a romantic relationship between fictional characters, as in fan fiction, or between famous people, whether or not the romance actually exists in the book, show, etc., or in real life.

    Harry Potter/Hermione Granger shippers.
shipper British  
/ ˈʃɪpə /

noun

  1. a person or company in the business of shipping freight

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonshipper noun

Etymology

Origin of shipper1

before 1100; 1745–55 for current sense; late Old English scipere sailor (not recorded in ME); ship 1, -er 1

Origin of shipper2

First recorded in 1995–2000; shortening of earlier relationshipper (in the same sense)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Star Bulk, another dry bulk shipper, has agreed to buy 16 Genco vessels for $470.5 million if Diana’s acquisition is successful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

The shipper said in a statement that it had backup plans in place for the safety of employees and to minimize any impact on service.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

UPS shares rose 8% Tuesday after the shipper reported higher than expected profit during the third quarter thanks to bigger than forecast cost savings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

FedEx, another major player in the industry, said it does not typically destroy packages, unless directed to do so by the shipper.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

For a refusal to do so, they are liable to the shipper for damages to the amount of the loss suffered, and sums extorted.

From Monopolies and the People by Cloud, D. C.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.