parcel

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "parcel" is correct and it is commonly used in written English.
It is a noun that refers to a package or an item wrapped to be sent by post or courier, or a piece of land. Example sentence: I ordered a parcel from the online store and it is being shipped today.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

While he was well enough the couple went sailing together, and when he was too weak for that he painted obsessively, on cardboard and brown parcel paper, an old bait box, and pieces of china.

The Guardian - Arts

This is part and parcel of being in an oppressed group: women are routinely dehumanised and homogenised, so that every act we undertake in public tends to reflect on all women, instead of our own individual character.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have cut our earnings per share estimates by 6%-8 6%-8%goingward, given the weakness in UK parcel as well as updated forward exchangivenrecasthe

The Guardian - Business

We had a rigorous, three-month consultation process led by officers, and the cabinet member for regeneration Rubina Khan was part and parcel of that, and we met the stakeholders and people were quite excited, but of course there was some anxiety and opposition but we made sure we heeded those apprehensions and accommodated them.

The Guardian

Protesters lined the track and, at Hawick, loaded on a cardboard coffin addressed to the transport minister (which was accepted as a goods parcel) before the train reached Newcastleton, where villagers stood across the line and blocked its passage.

The Guardian

Just recently, the Scots lawyer Paul McBride QC was among a group of people associated with Celtic football club to be sent parcel bombs by a loyalist organisation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

FedEx now has a leading position in the ground parcel-delivery business, especially in America.

The Economist

Would-be partners must be able to show that it is in customers' best interests for them to co-operate.UPS and DHL stress that their proposed deal just covers air freight; they will still compete in all the other bits of the express-parcel business, including ground collection and delivery.

The Economist

AS WELL as disrupting the delivery of millions of parcels, the strike at United Parcel Service (UPS) is reviving an old American worry about an explosion of part-time jobs.

The Economist

It says it had to borrow because of technical glitches in Britain's payments system which, like a game of pass-the-parcel, left Barclays short of cash at the close of business.

The Economist

Yamato Transport, which found a way round government regulations that prevented trucking companies from operating nationwide, has close to half of the parcel-delivery business in Japan and is now spreading abroad.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "parcel" to refer to land, ensure the context clearly indicates real estate or property to avoid confusion with its more common meaning as a package.

Common error

Avoid using "parcel" loosely to describe any random collection of items. Use it specifically when referring to items prepared for shipping or a defined piece of land. Consider using more appropriate terms such as "group", "collection", or "assortment" for other situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "parcel" functions primarily as a noun, denoting either a package prepared for shipment or a distinct piece of land. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a commonly used term with well-defined meanings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "parcel" is a versatile noun referring to a package for shipping or a piece of land. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage. It's important to consider the context to ensure clarity. While it can also describe a group of birds, that usage is less common. Its frequency is high in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, with a neutral register suitable for many situations. Related terms include "package", "shipment", "plot of land", and "tract of land". Use "parcel" accurately to enhance communication when discussing deliveries, property, or collections of items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

package

A more general term for something wrapped or boxed for sending or carrying.

consignment

Refers to a batch of goods destined for or delivered to someone.

shipment

Implies the action of shipping goods or the goods being shipped.

plot of land

Specifically refers to a piece of land.

tract of land

Similar to plot but often implies a larger area of land.

piece of property

Emphasizes the ownership aspect of land.

batch

Suggests a group of items or quantity produced at one time.

bundle

Implies items tied or wrapped together.

item

A single object or unit.

lot

Indicates a defined portion or quantity.

FAQs

How to use "parcel" in a sentence?

You can use "parcel" to refer to a package wrapped for shipping, as in "I received a "parcel" in the mail today". It can also refer to a piece of land, such as "They bought a "parcel" of land in the countryside".

What can I say instead of "parcel" when referring to a package?

You can use alternatives like "package", "shipment", or "consignment" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "parcel" when referring to land?

Consider using terms like "plot of land", "tract of land", or "piece of property" instead of "parcel".

Is it correct to use "parcel" to describe a group of birds?

While "parcel" can technically refer to a group of birds, this usage is less common. More typical terms include "flock", "flight", or "swarm" depending on the type of bird and their behavior.