parcel

[pahr-suhl]

noun

1. an object, article, container, or quantity of something wrapped or packed up; small package; bundle.

2. a quantity or unit of something, as of a commodity for sale; lot.

3. a group, collection, or assemblage of persons or things.

   Synonyms: assortment, batch

4. a distinct, continuous portion or tract of land.

5. a part, portion, or fragment.

verb (used with object)

parceled, parceling , parcelled, parcelling .

1. to divide into or distribute in parcels or portions (usually followed byout ).

   Synonyms: allot, deal, deal, apportion, mete

2. to make into a parcel or wrap as a parcel.

3. Nautical.,  to cover or wrap (a rope) with strips of canvas.

adverb

1. Archaic.,  in part; partially.

parcel

/ ˈpɑːsəl /

noun

1. something wrapped up; package

2. a group of people or things having some common characteristic

3. a quantity of some commodity offered for sale; lot

4. a distinct portion of land

5. an essential part of something (esp in the phrase part and parcel )

verb

1. (often foll by up) to make a parcel of; wrap up

2. (often foll by out) to divide (up) into portions

3. nautical to bind strips of canvas around (a rope)

adverb

1. an archaic word for partly

Other Word Forms

• unparceled adjective
• unparceling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parcel¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French parcelle, from unattested Late Latin particella, fresh formation for Latin particula; particle, passel

Word History and Origins

Origin of parcel¹

C14: from Old French parcelle, from Latin particula _particle

Idioms and Phrases

• part and parcel

Synonym Study

See package.

Example Sentences

The rubbish was deposited across two parcels of land used by their firms - the Campsie Sand and Gravel company and the City Industrial Waste firm.

From BBC

The 500-year-old firm is making attempts to modernise, shifting its focus to more profitable parcel deliveries.

From BBC

Imagine this: After years of toiling in the Southern California rat race, you buy a parcel of land in the high desert.

From Los Angeles Times

"My manager offered her a food parcel for free and she burst out crying."

From BBC

In May, he made a "significant personal donation" to a charity in Nottingham to fund food parcels for vulnerable families.

From BBC

Related Words

• bundle 
• carton 
• package 
• packet