What is parcel? Pronunciation and usage in English

parcel means . Learn how to pronounce and use parcel through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of parcel

parcelnoun

/ˈpɑːsl/
Definition & pronunciation of parcel

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "parcel." It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈpɑːr.səl/ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈpɑːr: This part is the most important.
    • ˈpɑːr – The stress is on the first syllable ("par"). It's a fairly open "ah" sound, like in the word "father". Think of it as a short, rounded "ah" sound.
  • səl: This is the second syllable.
    • səl – This is a very short, unstressed “suhl” sound, like the “suh” in “sugar” but shorter. It’s almost like a quick “s” sound blended with a “l.”

Here's a more descriptive breakdown:

  1. "Par" - Think of the "a" as in "father." It's a slightly wider, rounder "a" than the "a" in "cat."
  2. "Sel" - This isn’t a typical “s” followed by “l.” It's more like a very quick, almost swallowed "s" and then a quick "l." Don't over-emphasize it.

Common Mispronunciations & How to Fix Them:

  • "par-kel" - This is a very common mistake! The second syllable isn't “kel.”
  • Over-stressing the first syllable: While the first syllable is stressed, it's not dramatically louder than the second.

Resources for Hearing it Pronounced:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Some regional accents can influence pronunciation.)

Usage and examples with the word parcel in English

Let's break down how to use the word "parcel" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings! Here's a breakdown of its common usages, with examples:

1. A Small Package (Most Common)

  • Meaning: This is the most frequent usage. "Parcel" refers to a small, often wrapped package, usually sent through the mail.
  • Examples:
    • "I received a parcel in the mail today."
    • "Please address the parcel clearly so it doesn't get lost."
    • “She carefully wrapped the gift in paper for the parcel.”

2. A Portion or Share

  • Meaning: "Parcel" can also mean a portion, share, or piece of something larger, especially land or property. Think of it as a subdivided area.
  • Examples:
    • "The estate was divided into three parcels of land."
    • “He inherited several parcels of farmland.”
    • "The company owns a large parcel of forest."

3. (Historical/Archaic) A Piece of Land

  • Meaning: Historically, especially in the UK, "parcel" meant a strip of land, often granted as part of a larger estate. This usage is less common now.
  • Example: (You might encounter this in older literature or historical contexts) “The Baron was granted a small parcel of land.”

4. (Less Common - Military) A Portion of Supplies

  • Meaning: In a military context, a "parcel" can refer to a portion of supplies or rations distributed to soldiers.
  • Example: “Each soldier received a parcel of food and water.”

Key Differences & Nuances:

  • Package vs. Parcel: “Package” is generally used for anything that’s shipped, while “parcel” implies a smaller, more individual item. You could say you received a "package" or a "parcel."

  • Land vs. Portion: If you’re talking about land, “parcel” is usually the better choice. “Portion” could be used, but it's less specific to land.

Here's a table to summarize:

Meaning Example
Small Package (Mail) "I received a parcel in the mail."
Portion/Share "The cake was divided into five parcels."
Land (Historical) "He owned a large parcel of land."
Military Supplies “The soldiers received a parcel of rations.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "parcel"? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word parcel

Idioms of the word parcel

part and parcel of something
an essential part of something
  • Keeping the accounts is part and parcel of my job.

Practice with vocabulary parcel

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The courier service failed to deliver the valuable ______ to the correct address yesterday.
  2. Before the meeting, the manager asked everyone to review the attached ______ of data.
  3. The humanitarian organization plans to ______ food supplies among the affected communities.
  4. Customs officials carefully inspected each ______ for restricted items before allowing it into the country.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following terms best describes a wrapped item intended for delivery by post or courier? a) Invoice b) Parcel c) Memo d) Document

  2. If you are preparing a large shipment for dispatch, what terms might describe the individual units within it? (Select all that apply) a) Briefcase b) Parcel c) Container d) Package

  3. The city council is considering how to divide a large ______ of land for residential development. (Select all that apply) a) Segment b) Tract c) Parcel d) Section

  4. Which of these actions involves distributing resources or tasks to different individuals or groups? (Select all that apply) a) Hoard b) Apportion c) Distribute d) Accumulate

  5. When referring to a small collection of data sent over a network, what technical term is commonly used? a) Packet b) Bundle c) Stream d) Array

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The mail carrier brought a small box to our office this morning. (Rewrite using "parcel".)

  2. The developers are planning to subdivide the large tract of land near the river. (Rewrite using "parcel".)

  3. The committee agreed to parcel out the responsibilities among its members. (Rewrite without using "parcel", replacing it with a suitable alternative.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. parcel
  2. report (or document/memo/briefing)
  3. distribute (or apportion/allocate)
  4. parcel

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Parcel
  2. b) Parcel, d) Package
  3. b) Tract, c) Parcel, d) Section
  4. b) Apportion, c) Distribute
  5. a) Packet

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The mail carrier brought a small parcel to our office this morning.
  2. The developers are planning to subdivide the large parcel of land near the river.
  3. The committee agreed to distribute the responsibilities among its members.

Comment ()