parcel
B1Neutral to Formal. Common in business, postal, and real estate contexts.
Definition
Meaning
An object or collection of objects wrapped up for transportation or mailing; a package.
A quantity or amount of something, typically land, goods, or responsibilities, considered as a single unit or division.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun referring to a physical package. As a verb, it means to divide into portions and wrap or package (often used with 'out' or 'up'). In British English, it can be a standard term for a package sent by post; in American English, 'package' is more common for mail.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In BrE, 'parcel' is the standard term for an item sent by post ('post a parcel'). In AmE, 'package' is more common for mailed items, though 'parcel' is understood and used, especially in real estate ('parcel of land') or more formal/commercial contexts (e.g., 'parcel service').
Connotations
In BrE, neutral; the default term for mailed goods. In AmE, can sound slightly formal, old-fashioned, or commercial compared to 'package'.
Frequency
'Parcel' is high-frequency in BrE and medium-frequency in AmE, where its use is more context-specific.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
PARCEL something out (among/to somebody)PARCEL something upPARCEL something + adv./prep. (e.g., parcel into sections)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “part and parcel of (something) (an essential part of)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to shipments, consignments, and divisions of assets. E.g., 'The merger involved a large parcel of intellectual property.'
Academic
Rare. May appear in geography/land-use studies or economics discussing land parcels or bundled goods.
Everyday
Primarily used for mailed/packaged items, especially in BrE. E.g., 'I need to collect a parcel from the sorting office.'
Technical
In logistics and postal services for categorizing mail; in real estate and surveying for a plot of land.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to parcel up the inventory for the audit.
- The estate was parcelled out among the heirs.
American English
- The company plans to parcel out bonuses in December.
- They parcelled the land into residential lots.
adjective
British English
- Parcel delivery services are essential.
- The parcel shelf in my car is removable.
American English
- Parcel post rates have increased.
- They used parcel tape to secure the box.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I received a parcel from my grandmother.
- The postman left a parcel at the door.
- Could you pick up my parcel from the post office?
- She parcelled the cookies up to send to her friend.
- The developer purchased a large parcel of land on the outskirts of town.
- Dealing with complaints is part and parcel of working in customer service.
- The assets were parcelled out to creditors according to a strict hierarchy.
- This fragile parcel requires special handling and insurance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PARCEL wrapped in brown paper and string. The word sounds like 'PART-cell' – a part of something wrapped in a cell (a package).
Conceptual Metaphor
A PARCEL IS A CONTAINER FOR VALUE (goods, land, responsibilities). TO PARCEL OUT IS TO DISTRIBUTE CONTROL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'посылка' for all contexts; in AmE, 'package' is often better for mail. The Russian 'парсель' is a false friend from sailing (a 'parasail' or type of sail).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'parcel' as a general synonym for 'box' (it implies wrapping/containment for sending). Incorrect preposition: 'send a parcel *to* the post office' vs. 'send a parcel *via* the post office' or 'take a parcel *to* the post office'.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'parcel' the MOST common term for an item sent by post?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the US, 'package' is far more common for mailed items in everyday language. 'Parcel' is used in specific contexts like real estate ('land parcel'), logistics, or more formal/commercial settings.
Yes. It means to divide something into portions and wrap or distribute it. It is often used with particles like 'out' (distribute) or 'up' (wrap). E.g., 'She parcelled out the chores.'
It means an essential or integral part of something, something that is unavoidably included. E.g., 'Stress is part and parcel of being a doctor.'
Typically, a 'packet' is smaller and often contains a commercial product (e.g., a packet of crisps, a seed packet). A 'parcel' is larger, involves wrapping, and is specifically for posting or transporting.