: a document issued by a carrier that lists goods being shipped and specifies the terms of their transport
Word History
First Known Use
1532, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
bill of lading
bill of lad·ing
-ˈlā-diŋ
: a document issued by a carrier that lists goods being shipped and specifies the terms of their transport
Note: A bill of lading serves as a receipt for the goods, a contract for the transport of the goods, and a document of title showing that the person in possession of the bill has title to the goods.
—clean bill of lading
: a bill of lading that does not have any notations written or otherwise marked on it that qualify or amend the bill
—negotiable bill of lading
: order bill of lading in this entry
—nonnegotiable bill of lading
: straight bill of lading in this entry
—order bill of lading
: a bill of lading under which the goods are to be delivered to the person named in the bill or to the named person's order or to the bearer of the bill
called alsonegotiable bill of lading
compare straight bill of lading in this entry
—straight bill of lading
: a bill of lading that names the only person to whom the goods may be delivered