sortation

American  

[sawr-tey-shuhn] / sɔrˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the process or result of sorting things, especially computationally or mechanically.

2. classification of things.

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sortation British  

/ sɔːˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the process of sorting items into groups sharing a distinguishing quality or characteristic

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Etymology

Origin of sortation

First recorded in 1840–50; sort ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

In Cleveland, Target opened a new sortation center operated by third-party logistics provider Ryder System.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

The “last mile” facilities include Amazon’s delivery stations and sortation centers, and are the last leg in a package’s journey through Amazon’s vast distribution network before reaching a customer’s doorstep.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2023

Meanwhile, Target is aiming to increase its shipping speed by augmenting its own warehouses, called sortation centers, with a $100 million investment announced earlier this year.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2023

"As rigid polypropylene access, sortation, and end markets are on an upward trend across the U.S., we are excited to upgrade this packaging format," Caroline Cox, How2Recycle's director, said in a press release this summer.

From Salon • Oct. 14, 2022

Those for Bristol and neighbourhood are assigned to a compartment for further sortation, and the outward correspondence is sorted out into the different "roads" by which it will travel.

From The Bristol Royal Mail Post, Telegraph, and Telephone by Tombs, Robert Charles