Carriage vs. Freight — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 6, 2023
Carriage refers to the act of transporting goods or passengers, while freight is the actual goods transported, usually for commercial purposes.
Difference Between Carriage and Freight
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Carriage is a term that denotes the transportation of goods or passengers from one place to another. Freight, on the other hand, specifically refers to the goods that are being transported, usually for commercial reasons. The carriage is a service, while freight is the cargo.
Both carriage and freight play vital roles in the logistics industry, yet they represent different aspects. Carriage encompasses the process and means of transport, encompassing the movement by road, rail, air, or sea. Freight is the tangible commodity carried, often quantified in weight or volume and linked to shipping charges.
Carriage charges are fees associated with the transport service provided, which could include passenger tickets or shipping costs. Freight charges, however, are the costs incurred for moving the freight itself and often depend on the nature and volume of the goods, as well as the distance traveled.
While carriage broadly applies to both goods and passenger transport services, freight is exclusively associated with goods. The carriage is about the action and means of transportation, whereas freight concerns the items transported and their handling.
In some contexts, carriage can be synonymous with a vehicle or means of transport itself, such as a railway carriage. Freight does not carry this meaning and always pertains to the cargo, never the conveyance method.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act or process of transporting.
The goods or cargo transported.
Association
With the service and means of transport.
With the cargo being transported.
Usage Context
Broader, includes passenger transport.
Exclusively for goods transport.
Charge Type
Service fee for transportation.
Cost attributed to the cargo moved.
Synonyms
Conveyance, transport, shipment.
Cargo, load, goods, shipment.
Compare with Definitions
Carriage
A wheeled vehicle, especially one used for carrying passengers.
(They took a romantic carriage ride in the park.)
Freight
Goods transported in bulk by truck, train, ship, or aircraft
A decline in the amount of freight carried by rail
Carriage
A carriage is a private four-wheeled vehicle for people and is most commonly horse-drawn. Second-hand private carriages were common public transport, the equivalent of modern cars used as taxis.
Freight
The cargo carried by a large vehicle.
(The truck driver checked the freight before departure.)
Carriage
A wheeled vehicle, especially a four-wheeled horse-drawn passenger vehicle, often of an elegant design.
Freight
To load with cargo.
(They freighted the vessel with containers.)
Carriage
Chiefly British A railroad passenger car.
Freight
A freight train
I can hear the regular wail of the twelve o'clock freight from my house
Carriage
A baby carriage.
Freight
A load or burden
These warm winds deposit their freight of moisture in showers of rain
Carriage
A wheeled support or frame for carrying a heavy object, such as a cannon.
Freight
Transport (goods) in bulk by truck, train, ship, or aircraft
The metals had been freighted from the city
Carriage
A moving part of a machine for holding or shifting another part
The carriage of a typewriter.
Freight
Be laden or burdened with
Each word was freighted with anger
Carriage
The act or process of transporting or carrying.
Freight
Goods carried by a vessel or vehicle, especially by a commercial carrier; cargo.
Carriage
(kărē-ĭj) The cost of or the charge for transporting.
Freight
A burden; a load.
Carriage
The manner of holding and moving one's head and body; bearing.
Freight
Commercial transportation of goods.
Carriage
(Archaic) Management; administration.
Freight
The charge for transporting goods. Also called freightage.
Carriage
The act of conveying; carrying.
Freight
A railway train carrying goods only.
Carriage
Means of conveyance.
Freight
To convey commercially as cargo.
Carriage
A (mostly four-wheeled) lighter vehicle chiefly designed to transport people, generally drawn by horse power.
The carriage ride was very romantic.
Freight
To load with goods to be transported.
Carriage
A railroad car
Freight
To imbue with a specified element or elements
Freighted her words with innuendo.
Carriage
The manner or posture in which one holds or positions a body part, such as one's arm or head.
The runner has a very low arm carriage.
Freight
(uncountable) The transportation of goods (originally by water; now also by land); also, the hiring of a vehicle or vessel for such transportation.
Carriage
A manner of walking and moving in general; how one carries oneself, bearing, gait.
Freight
(uncountable) Goods or items in transport; cargo, luggage.
The freight shifted and the trailer turned over on the highway.
Carriage
(archaic) One's behaviour, or way of conducting oneself towards others.
Freight
(countable) Payment for transportation.
The freight was more expensive for cars than for coal.
Carriage
The part of a typewriter supporting the paper.
Freight
(figuratively)
Carriage
A shopping cart.
Freight
(countable) A burden, a load.
Carriage
(British) A stroller; a baby carriage.
Freight
Cultural or emotional associations.
Carriage
The charge made for conveying (especially in the phrases carriage forward, when the charge is to be paid by the receiver, and carriage paid).
Freight
(transitive)
Carriage
(archaic) That which is carried, baggage
Freight
To load (a vehicle or vessel) with freight (cargo); also, to hire or rent out (a vehicle or vessel) to carry cargo or passengers.
Carriage
That which is carried; burden; baggage.
David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage.
And after those days we took up our carriages and went up to Jerusalem.
Freight
To transport (goods).
Carriage
The act of carrying, transporting, or conveying.
Nine days employed in carriage.
Freight
(by extension) To load or store (goods, etc.).
Carriage
The price or expense of carrying.
Freight
(figuratively) To carry (something) as if it is a burden or load.
Carriage
That which carries of conveys,
Freight
Chiefly followed by up: to carry as part of a cargo.
Carriage
The manner of carrying one's self; behavior; bearing; deportment; personal manners.
His gallant carriage all the rest did grace.
Freight
(obsolete) Freighted; laden.
Carriage
The act or manner of conducting measures or projects; management.
The passage and whole carriage of this action.
Freight
That with which anything is fraught or laden for transportation; lading; cargo, especially of a ship, or a car on a railroad, etc.; as, a freight of cotton; a full freight.
Carriage
A railcar where passengers ride
Freight
The sum paid by a party hiring a ship or part of a ship for the use of what is thus hired.
Carriage
A vehicle with four wheels drawn by two or more horses
Freight
Freight transportation, or freight line.
Carriage
Characteristic way of bearing one's body;
Stood with good posture
Freight
Employed in the transportation of freight; having to do with freight; as, a freight car.
Carriage
A machine part that carries something else
Freight
To load with goods, as a ship, or vehicle of any kind, for transporting them from one place to another; to furnish with freight; as, to freight a ship; to freight a car.
Carriage
A small vehicle with four wheels in which a baby or child is pushed around
Freight
Goods carried by a large vehicle
Carriage
The act of transporting something from one place to another.
(The carriage of goods by rail is cost-effective.)
Freight
Transporting goods commercially at rates cheaper than express rates
Carriage
A baby stroller.
(She pushed the baby carriage through the mall.)
Freight
The charge for transporting something by common carrier;
We pay the freight
The freight rate is usually cheaper
Carriage
The moving part of a machine that holds a particular component.
(The printer's carriage jammed and wouldn't move.)
Freight
Transport commercially as cargo
Carriage
In computing, the return of a typewriter to a preset position.
(After hitting the end of the line, the typewriter carriage returns.)
Freight
Load with goods for transportation
Freight
Goods transported in bulk by truck, train, ship, or aircraft.
(The freight was loaded onto the ship at dawn.)
Freight
A charge paid for carriage or transportation of goods.
(The freight costs were billed to the receiver.)
Freight
To transport goods commercially.
(We need to freight these boxes to the other coast.)
Common Curiosities
What is carriage in logistics?
Carriage in logistics refers to the process of transporting goods or passengers.
What are carriage charges?
Carriage charges are fees paid for the transport service of goods or passengers.
Are carriage and freight interchangeable terms?
No, carriage refers to the transportation process, while freight refers to the goods carried.
What does freight mean in shipping?
In shipping, freight refers to the goods being transported.
Is freight only related to commercial goods?
Yes, freight typically refers to commercial goods transported in bulk.
Can I refer to luggage as freight?
Luggage is generally not referred to as freight, which is for bulk goods.
Is a carriage service always paid?
Yes, carriage services are typically paid, whether for goods or passenger transport.
Does carriage include the transportation method?
Yes, carriage includes both the act of transporting and the method used.
What are freight charges?
Freight charges are costs associated with moving the cargo, based on weight or volume.
Do carriage laws apply to digital goods?
Carriage laws typically apply to physical goods and passengers, not digital goods.
What is a freight forwarder?
A freight forwarder is an agent who arranges for the transportation of freight.
Can the term carriage be used for personal transport?
Yes, carriage can refer to both personal and commercial transport services.
How is freight classified?
Freight is classified based on type, size, weight, and distance to be transported.
Is there a difference in insurance for carriage vs. freight?
Yes, insurance may differ, with carriage insurance covering the transport service and freight insurance covering the goods transported.
Can carriage refer to a part of a machine?
Yes, carriage can also refer to the part of a machine that moves or carries other parts.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
