Logistics is the work of getting things and people to the right place at the right time. Lorries loaded in the order the drops will come, a warehouse where every shelf has a code, a parcel that leaves a depot at two in the morning and is at your door by nine.
It is a whole industry — logistics companies, a logistics manager, third-party logistics — covering transport, warehousing, stock and delivery as one problem. Outside business it means the practical arrangements behind any plan: the logistics of moving forty children to the coast, the logistics of a wedding with guests from three countries. The adjective is logistical, and a logistical nightmare is the phrase you will hear most. The word ends in -s but takes a singular verb: logistics is difficult, not logistics are difficult. And logistics is the planning and the moving, never the goods themselves.
1nounlogisticsThe planning and organising of how goods, materials and people get where they need to be.
“She runs logistics for a supermarket chain.”
2nounpracticalThe practical arrangements that have to be made for something to happen.
“The idea is fine; it's the logistics that worry me.”
logistics is a field of work.
Logistics came out of the army. The French word logistique was made famous around 1830 by the military writer Antoine-Henri Jomini, who built it on logis, a lodging place, and on the officer's title marechal des logis — the marshal of lodging, whose job was to find quarters for the troops and get them there. Finding beds for an army grew into moving anything anywhere.
French
logistique
English, today
logistics
Built from
From French logistique, coined or popularized 1830 by Antoine-Henri Jomini from logis (“lodging place”), in phrases maréchal des logis (“marshall of lodging”) (see maréchal des logis), major-général des logis (“major-general of lodging”). Possibly influenced by existing mathematical term logistique, of Ancient Greek origin; see logistic.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in Work & Careers, Business & Money, Military & Defence, Shipping & Logistics