Waybill

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈweɪ.bɪl/

Definitions

1. A transport document that provides a comprehensive list of items being carried, indicating their origin and destination while serving as a receipt for the shipment
2. This essential paperwork details the goods in transit, outlining shipment specifics and accounting for both sender and receiver information
3. A document used in freight transportation that itemizes the cargo, specifying its source and destination, while also acting as confirmation of the items shipped

Etymology: The word is a plain compound: "way" joined to "bill," with the two parts meaning roughly "road" or "journey" and "written statement" or "document." Put together, a waybill is a document that travels with goods on their journey. "Bill" here carries its older sense of a written notice or list, the same sense found in "bill of lading," a shipping receipt that similarly records what cargo a vessel has taken on. The "way" half refers to the transit itself: the goods are on the way, and the paper follows them from sender to receiver.

Synonyms: shipping order, consignment note