unshipped; unshipping; unships

transitive verb

1
: to take out of a ship : discharge, unload
2
: to remove (something, such as an oar or a tiller) from position : detach

intransitive verb

: to become or admit of being detached or removed

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unship was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unship. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

unship

verb
1
: to remove from a ship
2
: to remove or become removed from position
unship an oar
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!