Reading Theme:
Consignment Definition, Usage & Key Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：shipment batch (consignment)
consignment
/kənˈsaɪnmənt/
n.
A group of goods that are sent or delivered together at one time.
shipment batch
➕
/ˈʃɪpmənt bætʃ/
n.
Refers to a specific group of items dispatched together as a single delivery unit.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From 'consign' (to send/deliver) + suffix '-ment' (denoting action or result).
💡 Mnemonic
Consignment: con (together) + sign (mark) + ment; marking goods to send as one batch.
📖 Example
The latest consignment of books for our library has just arrived and needs to be unpacked.
The most recent shipment batch of books for our library has just arrived and requires unpacking.
🔗 Collocations
consignment of goods – a batch of items sent together
consignment note – a document detailing shipped goods
latest consignment – the most recent shipment
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
retention (n.) – the act of keeping goods instead of sending them
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'consignare' (to seal together), historically used in commerce to formalize goods shipments with documents.
Meaning 2：act of consigning (consignment)
consignment
/kənˈsaɪnmənt/
n.
The act of sending goods to someone, usually by a transport company.
act of consigning
➕
/ækt əv kənˈsaɪnɪŋ/
n.
The process or action of sending goods to someone, typically through a transport service.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She arranged for the consignment of her old furniture to a charity shop in another city.
She organized the consigning of her old furniture to a charity shop in another city.
🔗 Collocations
arrange consignment – organize the sending of goods
consignment service – service for shipping items
international consignment – sending goods abroad
🔄 Synonyms
dispatch (n.) – the act of sending off goods
shipment (n.) – the process of shipping goods
transportation (n.) – the movement of goods from one place to another
🚫 Antonyms
receipt (n.) – the act of receiving goods
Meaning 3：sales on commission (consignment)
consignment
/kənˈsaɪnmənt/
n.
A business agreement where you leave your goods with a shop to sell, and you get paid only after they are sold.
sales on commission
➕
/seɪlz ɒn kəˈmɪʃən/
n.
A business arrangement where goods are left with a shop to sell, with payment made only after sale.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Many local artists sell their paintings in the gallery on consignment, sharing the profit with the owner.
Many local artists sell their paintings in the gallery on a consignment basis, sharing profits with the owner.
🔗 Collocations
on consignment – goods sold with payment after sale
consignment shop – store selling goods on behalf of others
consignment agreement – contract for consignment sales
🔄 Synonyms
commission sale (n.) – sale where seller receives payment after goods are sold
consignment sale (n.) – same as consignment in retail context
agency sale (n.) – sale conducted through an intermediary agent
🚫 Antonyms
direct sale (n.) – sale without an intermediary, with immediate payment
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