Freight

Pronunciation

• enPR: frāt, IPA: /freɪt/
• Rhymes: -eɪt

Origin

From Middle English freyght, from Middle Dutch vracht, Middle Low German vrecht ("cost of transport"), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *fra- + Proto-Germanic *aihtiz ("possession"), from Proto-Indo-European *eiḱ- ("to possess"), equivalent to - + aught. Cognate with Old High German frēht ("earnings"), Old English ǣht ("owndom"). More at for-, own.

Full definition of freight

Noun

1. Payment for transportation.The freight was more expensive for cars than for coal.
2. Goods or items in transport.The freight shifted and the trailer turned over on the highway.
3. Transport of goods.They shipped it ordinary freight to spare the expense.

Synonyms

• cargo
• luggage

Derived terms

• freight car
• freighter
• freight yard
• pay the freight

Verb

1. (transitive) To transport (goods).
2. To load with freight. Also figurative.
• 1 March 2014, Rupert Christiansen, English translations rarely sing, English National Opera is a title freighted with implications, and that first adjective promises not only a geographical reach, but a linguistic commitment too.

Derived terms

• fraught

Anagrams

• fighter
• refight