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Kevin
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June 5, 2023
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Common Questions
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Whether drivers are transporting important goods or your last online shopping order, the logistics industry how it all keeps going. In other words, logistics is what keeps the world functioning. That said, what exactly does the word logistics mean? We’ll tell you.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about the word logistics, including its definition, origin, synonyms, antonyms, and more.
What Is the Definition of Logistics?
Our word of the day can be a little tricky to understand, so we compiled a few dictionary definitions for you to review below:
- The Collins Dictionary says that when you refer to the logistics of something complicated that involves a lot of equipment or people, you’re referring to skillful organization so that it can be done effectively and successfully.
- According to the Oxford English Dictionary, logistics is the activity or organization of moving, housing, and supplying troops and equipment.
- Lexico defines logistics as the commercial activity of transporting goods to customers.
As you can see, the word logistics means a few different things, so it’s of the utmost importance to pick up on context clues when stumbling across our word of the day in text.
What Is the Etymology of Logistics?
Our word of the day was first used as a noun for quartering, moving, and supplying troops in 1846. It’s a derivative of French logistique, which it was either coined or popularized by military officer Baron Antoine-Henri Jomini in the book The Art of War.
That said, the word logistics is also believed to have come from Ancient Greek λογιστικός (or logistikos) and λόγος (or logos).
What Are the Synonyms and Antonyms of Logistics?
Learning synonyms and antonyms won’t just help you better understand the meaning of a word. These tools can improve your existing vocabulary, too.
A synonym is a word or phrase that means the same or nearly the same as another word or phrase, whereas an antonym is a word or phrase that means the opposite or nearly the opposite of another word or phrase.
Synonyms of logistics include:
- Organization
- Plans
- Stage management
- Formation
- Strategy
- Masterminding
- Time management
- Battle plans
- Netting
- Arrangement
- Tessellation
- Basic details
- Brass tacks
- Chain of command
- Setting up
- Complex system
- Structuring
- Inner workings
- Bang for the buck
- Working out
- Design
- Procuring
- The ins and outs
- Complex arrangement
- Forethought
- Nuts and bolts
- Preplanning
- Practical details
- Procurement
- Nitty-gritty
- Interconnected scheme
- Effectualness
- Efficacy
- Methodology
- Cost-effectiveness
Antonyms of logistics include:
- Disorganization
- Mismanagement
- Mishandling
- Bungling
- Misdirection
- Negligence
- Disorder
- Fraction
- Part
- Cog
- Messing up
- Maladministration
How Can You Use Logistics in a Sentence?
Our word of the day refers to the process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported. Initially used to describe the military movement of supplies and equipment, logistics today is closely associated with the global supply chain.
Now that you’re familiar with what the word logistics means, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to the test. Quiz yourself to see how many sentences you can accurately come up with using logistics!
To get yourself started, feel free to check out our example sentences listed below:
“I was able to take a quick peek at the logistics information you sent over. Honestly, it all looks spot on. “
“Did you know that specialized training in supply chain management and logistics are usually core or elective courses?”
“My sister has been working in the logistics department for quite some time now and could not be happier setting up the company for success.”
“The whole goal of logistics is to meet customer requirements in a cost-effective and timely manner.
“We hired a logistics company to help us cut costs and ultimately improve customer satisfaction.”
“I am looking for a company that provides logistics services. Do you have any recommendations?”
“Randall continually pushed for his e-commerce site to have a cash payment option. I just don’t believe he is aware of the impossible logistics involved.”
“Apparently business logistics have transformed quite a bit since the 1970s.”
“Look, I don’t really understand the logistics of it all, so you’re going to need to get with logistics management.”
“Did you know that demand planning is a kind of predictive planning strategy?”
What Are Translations of Logistics?
Below you will find many translations of our word of the day provided by the Cambridge English Dictionary:
- Chinese (simplified) — 后勤, 后勤学
- Vietnamese — khâu hậu cần, nghiệp vụ logistics, ngành hậu cần
- Danish — logistik
- Portuguese — logistica
- Italian — logistica
- German — die Logistik, Logistik-
- Czech — logistika, logistický, přesun a technické zabezpečení vojska
- Spanish — logística
- Danish — logistik, forsynings tjeneste
- French — logistique, (de) logistique
- Thai — การจัดการที่มีประสิทธิภาพเพื่อดำเนินแผนงานให้สำเร็จ, ระบบโลจิสติกส์, การส่งกำลังบำรุงทางทหาร
- Malay — logistik
- Ukrainian — логістика
A Final Word
The word logistics may be confusing at first, but it simply refers to the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving a number of people, facilities, or supplies.
In the business realm, it’s the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the expectation of corporations or customers.
Sources:
LOGISTICS Definition | Cambridge English Dictionary
