Shuttle Meaning and Definition
Shuttle
Pronunciation
/ˈʃʌt.l/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A vehicle or a person that travels back and forth between two places or systems, especially a spacecraft that moves between Earth and a space station or other celestial body.
Examples
- The space shuttle was used to transport astronauts to the International Space Station.
- Shuttles are used in airports to transport passengers between terminals.
Synonyms
- Vessel
- Ferry
Antonyms
- Pilot
- Guide
Etymology
The word “shuttle” originated in the 14th century from the Old French word “estaler”, meaning “to alter” or “to change”, and was later influenced by the French verb “shuter”, meaning “to shuttle” or “to move back and forth”
Usage Notes
The word “shuttle” is often used in technical contexts, such as in space exploration, transportation, and logistics. It is also used figuratively to describe a person or thing that moves back and forth between two places or activities.
Cultural References
The shuttle has been featured in various films, such as “Apollo 13” and “Gravity”, and has also been depicted in literature, like in the novel “The Martian”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Shuttle service” refers to a transportation service that moves people or cargo back and forth between two places.
Related Words or Phrases
Words related to “shuttle” include “spacecraft”, ” aircraft”, “vessel”, and “ferry”.
Collocations
The word “shuttle” is often collocated with words like “space”, “airport”, “-terminal”, and “travel”
Frequency of Use
The word “shuttle” is a relatively common word in modern language, especially in technical and transportation contexts.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “shuttle” include “shuter” and “shuterly”