common carrier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal, Business, Technical
Quick answer
What does “common carrier” mean?
A company or person that provides transportation services to the general public for a fee, without discrimination.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A company or person that provides transportation services to the general public for a fee, without discrimination.
In a broader sense, it can refer to any regulated entity or infrastructure provider (e.g., telecommunications, utilities) that offers services to all users on equal terms, similar to public conveyance principles in law and business.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal and technical definition is identical. The term is slightly more prevalent in American regulatory and legal contexts (e.g., FCC). UK may use 'public carrier' interchangeably in some older statutes, but 'common carrier' is standard.
Connotations
Neutral/technical in both. In the US, strongly associated with telecommunications and internet neutrality debates. In the UK, historically tied to rail, post, and ferry services.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday language in both regions. Higher frequency in specialized legal, logistics, and telecommunications texts.
Grammar
How to Use “common carrier” in a Sentence
[Company] + acts as + a common carrier[Entity] + is classified/regulated as + a common carrier[Law] + applies to + common carriersVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “common carrier” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not standard as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not standard as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The common-carrier status of the network is under review.
American English
- They are subject to common-carrier regulations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The contract stipulates that the railway company shall operate as a common carrier for all freight on this route.
Academic
The study examines the historical evolution of the common carrier principle in Anglo-American law.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation. Might be heard as: 'Is that delivery service a common carrier, or do they pick their customers?'
Technical
Under FCC rules, the provider was reclassified as a Title II common carrier, subject to stricter neutrality regulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “common carrier”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “common carrier”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “common carrier”
- Using 'common carrier' to refer to any frequent or popular delivery service (e.g., 'Amazon is a common carrier').
- Confusing it with 'carrier' in the medical sense (disease carrier).
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a common-carrier truck' is less idiomatic than 'a truck operated by a common carrier').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, yes. In most jurisdictions, licensed taxis are considered common carriers as they offer transport to the general public without prior contract and cannot unreasonably refuse a fare.
A common carrier holds itself out to serve the general public indiscriminately for a fee. A private carrier transports goods under individual contracts and can choose its customers (e.g., a specialised courier for one company).
It's central to 'net neutrality'. If internet service providers are classified as common carriers, they could be regulated to treat all data equally, not blocking or prioritising content from specific sources.
Yes, legally an individual (e.g., an independent barge operator) can be a common carrier if they engage in the business of public transport for hire.
A company or person that provides transportation services to the general public for a fee, without discrimination.
Common carrier is usually formal, legal, business, technical in register.
Common carrier: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒm.ən ˈkær.i.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑː.mən ˈker.i.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to) have the duties of a common carrier”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMMON bus or ferry – it carries the COMMON public. A COMMON CARRIER carries goods or people for the general public, commonly and for a common fee.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PUBLIC ROAD FOR SERVICES: The entity is conceptualised as an open, necessary route or conduit available to all, similar to a public highway.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the term 'common carrier' LEAST likely to be used correctly?