bulk carrier

American  

noun

1. a single-decked ship designed to carry dry cargoes, as grain or coal, in bulk form.

---

bulk carrier British  

noun

1. Also called: bulker.  a ship that carries unpackaged cargo, usually consisting of a single dry commodity, such as coal or grain

---

Etymology

Origin of bulk carrier

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Two ships did make it through early Wednesday—a Greek-owned bulk carrier and a Liberia-flagged vessel, MarineTraffic said.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

When signals resumed before daybreak some 10 hours later, the bulk carrier was far south of the strait.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Dale Baxter, a BBC reporter at the scene, identified the vessel as the Altay - a bulk carrier which has been docked in the city since 23 June.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

The Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier Sea Champion had been full of grain from Argentina and was bound for Aden and then rebel-held Hodeida when it was hit in February.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2024

Ms. Chao had since 2018 been the chair and chief executive of the Chao family’s Foremost Group, which operates a global fleet of bulk carrier ships.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2024