fedex

fedex — verb

  • fedexpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • fedexes3rd person singular
  • fedexing-ing form
  • fedexedpast simple

1. to send a package or document using the FedEx courier service, especially when f

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to send a package or document using the FedEx courier service, especially when fast delivery or the ability to track the item is important

Example

Tamar fedexed the signed contract to her lawyer in Tokyo before the Friday deadline.

fedex + something + to + someone (recipient pattern)

The online shop fedexed Yuna's order overnight, so it arrived on Saturday morning.

collocation: fedex overnight

Common collocations
  • fedex a package
  • fedex a document
  • fedex a contract
  • fedex samples
  • fedex overnight
  • fedex priority
  • fedex internationally
Synonyms
  • ship

    Broader term covering any method of transporting goods (land, air, sea); not brand-specific

  • courier

    Also a verb for sending by dedicated delivery service, but not tied to one brand; slightly more formal

  • send

    Most general term; can refer to any method of transmission including email

  • dispatch

    More formal; implies prompt or official sending, often of goods or people

Grammar Patterns

fedex + something + to + someone

fedex + something

fedex + something + from + [place] + to + [place]

Usage Note

Derived from the brand name FedEx. Most common in business contexts in American English. The past tense and past participle are both fedexed (one x, not two).

Common Mistakes

I fedexxed the documents yesterday.
I fedexed the documents yesterday.
The past tense of 'fedex' is 'fedexed' with a single 'x'.
Please fedex me the file by email.
Please email me the file.
'Fedex' refers specifically to physical courier delivery, not electronic transmission.

Word family

  • fedexed
    verb (past tense / past participle)B2
  • fedexing
    verb (present participle)C1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Fedex refers specifically to sending packages via the FedEx courier service, making it the most brand-specific of these verbs. Ship is the broadest term, covering any method of transporting goods by land, air, or sea, regardless of carrier. Courier can function as a verb meaning to send by a dedicated delivery service without being tied to one brand name, and it sounds slightly more formal. Send is the most general and can apply to anything from a letter to an email — it does not imply a physical carrier by itself. Dispatch implies sending something promptly and often officially, especially goods, vehicles, or people to a specific destination. For example: 'The company fedexed the prototype to the client' (specific courier brand), 'They shipped the order by sea' (general transport), 'We will courier the documents to your office' (dedicated service, no brand specified), and 'The manager dispatched a team to investigate' (prompt official sending).

ship ↗courier ↗send ↗dispatch ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • by FedEx

Prepositions

Etymology

English (brand name)English (verb)

The verb fedex comes from the brand name FedEx, which was shortened from Federal Express in 1994. Founded in 1971, Federal Express pioneered overnight package delivery in the United States, and the company's name gradually became a household term for fast courier shipping. By the 1980s, English speakers began using 'FedEx' as a verb following the same pattern as other brand names that turned into common verbs, such as 'Xerox' (to photocopy) and 'Google' (to search online).

First known use

1984

1984, in the meaning defined above