logistics

noun

lo·​gis·​tics lō-ˈji-stiks How to pronounce logistics (audio)
lə-
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: the aspect of military science dealing with the procurement, maintenance, and transportation of military matériel, facilities, and personnel
2
: the handling of the details of an operation
the logistics of a political campaign

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How are logistics and logic related?

Logistics follows the same pattern of other plural nouns—such as ballistics, linguistics, statistics, or physics—that represent fields of study and take either a singular or plural verb.

Logic, used strictly in the singular, is a science that deals with the formal principles of reason. If a visitor walks in the house with a wet umbrella, it is logical for one to assume that it is raining outside. Logistics, which involves such concerns as the delivery of personnel or supplies in an efficient manner, can often employ logic, such as by reasoning out the path least likely to interrupt the flow of a delivery:

As with many other areas of the economy, the digital revolution is having a profound effect on delivery logistics. The combination of mobile computing, analytics, and cloud services, all of which are fueled by the Internet of Things (IoT), is changing how delivery and fulfillment companies are conducting their operations.
—Andrew Meola, Business Insider, 14 Oct. 2016

Both logic and logistics ultimately derive from the Greek logos, meaning "reason." But while logic derives directly from Greek, logistics took a longer route, first passing into French as logistique, meaning "art of calculating," and then into English from there.

Examples of logistics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Foreign executives considering nearshoring investments in Mexico need to understand how organized crime affects logistics routes in different parts of Mexico. Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 That same kind of cross-platform visibility and transparency can also help AI function as a powerful logistics tool, helping with load management, route planning and optimization for trucking and shipping functions. Fabio Caversan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand provided support, which officials said included intelligence and logistics assistance. Helene Cooper, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2024 Retailers have been shedding warehouse space and paring back logistics networks now that the disruptions that slowed supply chains during the Covid-19 pandemic have largely receded. Harriet Torry, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2024 AIoT can be utilized in numerous retail scenarios, including waste reduction, inventory management, logistics optimization, and facility management. Michelle Liang, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2024 The company filed for a Hong Kong IPO of Cainiao, its logistics division, in September. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 20 Dec. 2023 The talks, which included meetings in late October, were triggered by mounting Russian concerns over the security of an 11-mile bridge across the Kerch Strait that has served as a key logistics line for the Russian military but has been bombed twice by Ukraine and remains a vulnerable war target. Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023 It’s built a logistics network that rivals the size of UPS domestically. Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'logistics.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French logistique art of calculating, logistics, from Greek logistikē art of calculating, from feminine of logistikos of calculation, from logizein to calculate, from logos reason

First Known Use

circa 1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of logistics was circa 1861

Dictionary Entries Near logistics

Cite this Entry

“Logistics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/logistics. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

logistics

noun singular or plural
lo·​gis·​tics lō-ˈjis-tiks How to pronounce logistics (audio)
: a branch of military science that deals with the transporting, housing, and supplying of troops
logistic
-tik
adjective
or logistical
-ti-kəl
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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