Word: Parcel

Pronunciation

/ˈpɑːrsəl/

Definitions

• Noun: A wrapped or packaged object, usually smaller than a box, sent or delivered by post or carried by hand. For example: “She received a small parcel from her grandmother containing homemade cookies.”
• Verb: To wrap or package something securely, typically for sending or delivering. For example: “He carefully parcelled up the fragile vase in bubble wrap before posting it.”
• Noun (in a different sense): A portion or part of something that is divided or apportioned; often used in the context of land or property. For example: “Each sibling inherited a parcel of land from their father.”

Phrases

• “Parcel post” refers to a postal service for sending packages or parcels.
• “To parcel out” means to distribute or divide something among several recipients. For example: “The teacher parceled out the sweets equally among the children.”
• “A hot parcel” is a colloquial expression for a stolen item, especially a car.

Example Sentences

• Noun (package): “I’m expecting a parcel from Amazon today.”
• Verb: “She spent the morning parceling up Christmas gifts to send to relatives abroad.”
• Noun (land division): “The developer plans to build houses on the new parcel of land they purchased.”

Synonyms

• Package
• Box
• Bundle
• Consignment
• Packet (for the noun meaning ‘a wrapped or packaged object’)
• Divide
• Distribute
• Portion out (for the verb meaning ‘to wrap or package something’)
• Apportion (for the sense referring to dividing a portion of something)