cargo

[ kahr-goh ]

noun

, plural car·goes, car·gos.

1. the lading or freight of a ship, airplane, etc.
2. load.

   Synonyms: burden

3. cargos, pants or shorts having several cargo pockets to hold bulky gear and small items.

adjective

1. of or denoting a style of pants or shorts with cargo pockets.

cargo

/ ˈkɑːɡəʊ /

noun

1. 1. goods carried by a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle; freight
   2. ( as modifier )

      a cargo vessel

2. any load

   the train pulled in with its cargo of new arrivals

Word History and Origins

Origin of cargo¹

1640–50; from Spanish: “a load,” noun derivative of cargar “to load,” from Late Latin carricāre; charge

Word History and Origins

Origin of cargo¹

C17: from Spanish: from cargar to load, from Late Latin carricāre to load a vehicle, from carrus car

Synonym Study

See freight.

Example Sentences

Wilmington residents have long complained about noxious air and the rumble of cargo trucks.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the largest commercial airlines and airborne cargo carriers in the U.S. have banded together to help solve the problem under their trade group Airlines for America.

From Los Angeles Times

These operations provide tens of thousands of jobs to dockworkers, truck drivers and other laborers who help move this cargo.

From Los Angeles Times

A damaged cargo ship carrying potentially explosive fertiliser has been docked at a port.

From BBC

During several days of strikes in early October, Russian weapons hit at least four cargo ships, including one reportedly carrying 6,000 tonnes of corn.

From BBC

Related Words

• consignment
• freight
• goods
• load
• merchandise
• payload
• shipment

More About Cargo

What does cargo mean?

Cargo is the load of materials being transported by a vehicle like a ship, airplane, train, or truck, especially for commercial or professional purposes.

The word cargo is used collectively—it’s a singular noun that refers to a group of items. For example, all of the shipping containers being transported by a ship are its cargo.

Such a ship can be called a cargo ship or a cargo liner. A plane primarily carrying cargo can be called a cargo plane. Such a train is typically called a freight train (freight is a close synonym of cargo). Cargo is often distinguished from other things that the vehicle might be carrying, such as passengers—the distinction is often made between a cargo ship or a cargo plane and a passenger ship or passenger plane.

Cargo is also used as a modifier (adjective) in a lot of terms related to cargo and its transport and storage. The place in a ship or plane where cargo is stored is called the cargo hold. On the space shuttle, the place where equipment is stored is called the cargo bay.

Cargo is sometimes used more casually in nonprofessional contexts. When packing up your car to move or go on vacation, you might say that it’s fully loaded with your cargo, but this is usually intended as a kind of joke. The word can even be used in this way to refer to people, as in A lot of parents like to alert other drivers to their precious cargo with those “baby on board” signs. 

The word cargo is also used in the terms cargo pants and cargo shorts, which have large side pockets (called cargo pockets) designed to be able to carry a lot of stuff. Such pants or shorts are sometimes called cargoes (or cargos), as in I think it’s time for a new pair or cargoes—these have holes in both of the pockets.  

Example: We’re set to pull out of port as soon as the cargo is secured.

Where does cargo come from?

The first records of the word cargo come from the 1600s. It comes from the Spanish cargo, meaning “load,” from the Spanish verb cargar, meaning “to load.” It ultimately comes from the Late Latin verb carricāre, meaning “to load a vehicle.”

This brings up an important point about cargo. A load of items is usually only called cargo when it’s in a vehicle or when it’s being loaded onto or unloaded from a vehicle. Once it’s in a warehouse, for example, it’s not commonly called cargo. Instead, it’s typically referred to as goods or merchandise or other terms, depending on what it is and what it’s for.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to cargo?

• cargoes (plural
• cargos (plural)

What are some synonyms for cargo?

• freight
• goods
• load
• payload

What are some words that share a root or word element with cargo? 

• cargo liner
• cargo bay
• cargo pants
• cargo pocket
• car

What are some words that often get used in discussing cargo?

• ship
• plane
• container
• bay
• shipment
• merchandise
• hold
• liner
• pants
• shorts
• pocket

How is cargo used in real life?

Cargo is most commonly used in contexts involving the transport of goods, especially commercial goods being transported in a professional capacity.

UNHAS does not only transport passengers, but also makes sure relief cargo gets where it is most needed.
This week, #UNHAS most recent operation in Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 transported 338 kgs of Health Kits on behalf of @UNICEF from Ouagadougou to Gorom-Gorom. #UNHASSavingLives 🚁 pic.twitter.com/ZWDTsxweST

— UN Humanitarian Air Service (@WFP_UNHAS) November 18, 2020

We're not just a passenger service airport 📦 Carriers transport more than 130 tons of cargo through RDU each day (yes, even now).

Learn more about cargo operations at the airport: https://t.co/nzZKAV7qzX pic.twitter.com/wn2fJ14D52

— RDU International Airport (@RDUAirport) November 12, 2020

Blackhawks fans were clearly prepared for overtime with all the snacks they can keep in their cargo shorts. #CHIvsLAK

— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 2, 2014

 

Try using cargo!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of cargo?

A. vehicle
B. load
C. goods
D. payload