Chip vs. Ship — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 17, 2024
Chip typically refers to a small piece of something, often used in computing or as a snack, while a ship is a large vessel designed for water travel.
Difference Between Chip and Ship
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A chip is a small fragment or piece often made from materials like wood, silicon, or potatoes, depending on its usage, whereas a ship is a large watercraft built for maritime transport across seas and oceans.
In technology, a chip refers to a semiconductor device used in electronic circuits, such as computer processors and memory modules, whereas ships serve as a primary means for commercial and military maritime activities.
The term chip can also refer to a strategy or action in sports, such as a "chip shot" in golf, which is a short, lofted stroke, whereas the term ship does not have a sporting connotation.
In culinary contexts, chips are thin slices of potatoes fried or baked until crispy, popular as a snack worldwide, whereas a ship may have a galley where meals are prepared but is not itself an edible item.
Linguistically, the word "chip" can be used figuratively, such as "a chip on one's shoulder," indicating a grudge or grievance, whereas "ship" can be part of compound nouns like "friendship" or "leadership," denoting abstract concepts or relationships.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A small piece of something, often cut or broken off
A large boat used for transport across water
Usage in Context
Electronics, food, sports
Transportation, military, leisure
Material
Silicon, potatoes, wood
Steel, wood, fiberglass
Figurative Meaning
"A chip on one's shoulder" – harboring a grudge
"Jump ship" – leave an organization suddenly
Examples
Computer chips, potato chips, chip shot in golf
Cargo ships, cruise ships, battleships
Compare with Definitions
Chip
Expression of minor irritation or grievance.
He's had a chip on his shoulder ever since the promotion was denied.
Ship
Often used to denote large, impressive vessels in stories.
The pirate ship in the film was remarkably detailed.
Chip
A small piece of semiconductor used for integrated circuits.
The motherboard features an advanced chip for faster processing.
Ship
Used in terms like "friendship" or "leadership".
Their friendship has stood the test of time.
Chip
A thin slice of potato fried or baked until crispy.
She munched on a bag of chips during the movie.
Ship
A large boat used for transporting people or goods across water.
The ship sailed across the Atlantic.
Chip
A short, lofted golf stroke.
He executed a perfect chip to land the ball close to the hole.
Ship
A craft designed for space travel.
The new model of the spaceship will launch next year.
Chip
Small fragments of material broken off from a larger piece.
A chip of marble flew off as he sculpted.
Ship
To send goods by any mode of transportation.
We will ship your order tomorrow morning.
Chip
A small broken or cut off piece, as of wood, stone, or glass.
Ship
A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying goods or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished from boats, based on size, shape, load capacity, and tradition.
Chip
A crack or flaw caused by the removal of a small piece.
Ship
A vessel of considerable size for deep-water navigation.
Chip
A small disk or counter used in poker and other games to represent money.
Ship
A sailing vessel having three or more square-rigged masts.
Chip
Chips Slang Money.
Ship
An aircraft or spacecraft.
Chip
See microchip.
Ship
The crew of one of these vessels.
Chip
A thin, usually fried slice of food, especially a potato chip
Ate chips with her sandwich.
Ship
One's fortune
When my ship comes in, I'll move to a larger house.
Chip
A very small piece of food or candy
Made cookies with chocolate chips.
Ship
To place or receive on board a ship
Shipped the cargo in the hold.
Chip
Chips Chiefly British French fries.
Ship
To cause to be transported; send.
Chip
Wood, palm leaves, straw, or similar material cut and dried for weaving.
Ship
(nautical) A water-borne vessel generally larger than a boat.
Chip
A fragment of dried animal dung used as fuel.
Ship
A vessel which travels through any medium other than across land, such as an airship or spaceship.
Chip
Something worthless.
Ship
A spaceship (the type of pattern in a cellular automaton).
Chip
(Sports) A chip shot.
Ship
A sailing vessel with three or more square-rigged masts.
Chip
A trick method of throwing one's opponent in wrestling.
Ship
A dish or utensil (originally fashioned like the hull of a ship) used to hold incense.
Chip
To chop or cut with an axe or other implement.
Ship
(cartomancy) The third card of the Lenormand deck.
Chip
To break a small piece from
Chip a tooth.
Ship
(dated) An aircraft.
Chip
To break or cut off (a small piece)
Chip ice from the window.
Ship
(fandom) A fictional romantic relationship between two characters, either real or themselves fictional, especially one explored in fan fiction.
Chip
To shape or carve by cutting or chopping
Chipped her name in the stone.
Ship
(transitive) To send by water-borne transport.
Chip
To implant a microchip in (an organism).
Ship
(transitive) To send (a parcel or container) to a recipient (by any means of transport).
To ship freight by railroad
Chip
To become broken off into small pieces.
Ship
(ambitransitive) To release a product (not necessarily physical) to vendors or customers; to launch.
Our next issue ships early next year.
It compiles? Ship it!
Chip
(Sports) To make a chip shot in golf.
Ship
(ambitransitive) To engage to serve on board a vessel.
To ship seamen
I shipped on a man-of-war.
Chip
To cheep, as a bird.
Ship
(intransitive) To embark on a ship.
Chip
A small piece broken from a larger piece of solid material.
Ship
To put or secure in its place.
To ship the tiller or rudder
Chip
A damaged area of a surface where a small piece has been broken off.
This cup has a chip in it.
Ship
(transitive) To take in (water) over the sides of a vessel.
We were shipping so much water I was sure we would capsize.
Chip
A token used in place of cash.
Ship
Leave, depart, scram.
Chip
A sovereign the coin.
Ship
To pass (from one person to another).
Can you ship me the ketchup?
Chip
(electronics) A circuit fabricated in one piece on a small, thin substrate.
Ship
To go all in.
Chip
(electronics) A hybrid device mounted in a substrate, containing electronic circuitry and miniaturised mechanical, chemical and/or biochemical devices.
Ship
(sports) To trade or send a player to another team.
Twins ship Delmon Young to Tigers.
Chip
A fried strip of potato of square or rectangular cross-section; a french fry.
Do you want sauce or mayonnaise on your chips?
Ship
(rugby) To bungle a kick and give the opposing team possession.
Chip
A thin, crisp, fried slice of potato, or sometimes another vegetable; a crisp.
They made their own potato chips from scratch, he ate a tortilla chip, served with a side of apple chips
Ship
(fandom) To support or approve of a fictional romantic relationship between two characters, typically in fan fiction or other fandom contexts.
I ship Kirk and Spock in “Star Trek”.
I ship Peggy and Angie in “Marvel's Agent Carter”.
Chip
(sports) A shot during which the ball travels more predominantly upwards than in a regular shot, as to clear an obstacle.
Ship
Pay; reward.
In withholding or abridging of the ship or the hire or the wages of servants.
Chip
(curling) A takeout that hits a rock at an angle.
Ship
Any large seagoing vessel.
Like a stately ship . . . With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,Sails filled, and streamers waving.
Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Chip
A dried piece of dung, often used as fuel.
Ship
Specifically, a vessel furnished with a bowsprit and three masts (a mainmast, a foremast, and a mizzenmast), each of which is composed of a lower mast, a topmast, and a topgallant mast, and square-rigged on all masts. See Illustation in Appendix.
Chip
A receptacle, usually for strawberries or other fruit.
Ship
A dish or utensil (originally fashioned like the hull of a ship) used to hold incense.
Chip
(gastronomy) A small, near-conical piece of food added in baking.
Chocolate chip
Ship
To put on board of a ship, or vessel of any kind, for transportation; to send by water.
The timber was . . . shipped in the bay of Attalia, from whence it was by sea transported to Pelusium.
Chip
A small rectangle of colour printed on coated paper for colour selection and matching. A virtual equivalent in software applications.
Ship
By extension, in commercial usage, to commit to any conveyance for transportation to a distance; as, to ship freight by railroad.
Chip
(nautical) The triangular piece of wood attached to the log line.
Ship
Hence, to send away; to get rid of.
Chip
(historical) Wood or Cuban palm leaf split into slips, or straw plaited in a special manner, for making hats or bonnets.
Ship
To engage or secure for service on board of a ship; as, to ship seamen.
Chip
Anything dried up, withered, or without flavour.
Ship
To receive on board ship; as, to ship a sea.
Chip
(golf) A low shot that travels further along the ground than it does in the air.
Ship
To put in its place; as, to ship the tiller or rudder.
Chip
(transitive) To chop or cut into small pieces.
The workers chipped the dead branches into mulch.
Ship
To engage to serve on board of a vessel; as, to ship on a man-of-war.
Chip
(transitive) To break small pieces from.
Be careful not to chip the paint.
Ship
To embark on a ship.
Chip
To play a shot hitting the ball predominantly upwards rather than forwards. In association football specifically, when the shot is a shot on goal, the opposing goalkeeper may be the direct object of the verb, rather than the ball.
Ship
A vessel that carries passengers or freight
Chip
To upgrade an engine management system, usually to increase power.
Ship
Transport commercially
Chip
(intransitive) To become chipped.
This varnish chips easily.
Ship
Hire for work on a ship
Chip
To ante (up).
Ship
Go on board
Chip
To fit (an animal) with a microchip.
Ship
Travel by ship
Chip
To contribute.
Everyone needs to chip in £1 for George's leaving collection
Ship
Place on board a ship;
Ship the cargo in the hold of the vessel
Chip
(also, to chip at) To make fun of.
Chip
To cut small pieces from; to diminish or reduce to shape, by cutting away a little at a time; to hew.
Chip
To break or crack, or crack off a portion of, as of an eggshell in hatching, or a piece of crockery.
Chip
To bet, as with chips in the game of poker.
Chip
To break or fly off in small pieces.
Chip
A piece of wood, stone, or other substance, separated by an ax, chisel, or cutting instrument.
Chip
A fragment or piece broken off; a small piece.
Chip
Wood or Cuban palm leaf split into slips, or straw plaited in a special manner, for making hats or bonnets.
Chip
Anything dried up, withered, or without flavor; - used contemptuously.
Chip
One of the counters used in poker and other games.
Chip
The triangular piece of wood attached to the log line.
Chip
A small fragment of something broken off from the whole;
A bit of rock caught him in the eye
Chip
A triangular wooden float attached to the end of a log line
Chip
A piece of dried bovine dung
Chip
A thin crisp slice of potato fried in deep fat
Chip
A mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
Chip
A small disk-shaped counter used to represent money when gambling
Chip
Electronic equipment consisting of a small crystal of a silicon semiconductor fabricated to carry out a number of electronic functions in an integrated circuit
Chip
A low running approach shot
Chip
The act of chipping something
Chip
Break off (a piece from a whole);
Her tooth chipped
Chip
Cut a nick into
Chip
Play a chip shot
Chip
Form by chipping;
They chipped their names in the stone
Chip
Break a small piece off from;
Chip the glass
Chip a tooth
Common Curiosities
What is the primary function of a chip in electronics?
In electronics, a chip typically functions as a microprocessor or memory component, central to the operation of computers and other digital devices.
What is the largest type of ship?
The largest types of ships are often oil tankers and cargo carriers, known specifically as ULCC (Ultra Large Crude Carriers) and ULCV (Ultra Large Container Vessels).
What safety measures are essential on ships?
Essential safety measures on ships include lifeboats, life vests, fire extinguishers, alarms, emergency instructions, and proper crew training in safety procedures.
What is a casino chip and how is it used?
A casino chip is a token used as currency in casinos to play games, representing different monetary values and making it easier to manage bets.
What differentiates a chip shot in golf from a regular shot?
A chip shot in golf is a shorter, more precise stroke intended to loft the ball over an obstacle and land softly on the green, unlike regular shots that aim for distance.
How do ships navigate across oceans?
Ships navigate using a combination of maritime charts, GPS technology, and sometimes traditional methods like celestial navigation.
Are chips only used in computers?
No, chips are used in a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets, automobiles, and household appliances.
What are the environmental impacts of ships?
Ships can have significant environmental impacts, including oil spills, aquatic noise pollution, and emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change.
How do icebreaker ships differ from standard ships?
Icebreaker ships are specially designed with reinforced hulls and powerful engines to navigate through ice-covered waters, unlike standard ships that lack these capabilities.
How are computer chips tested for quality?
Computer chips are tested through rigorous processes involving electrical testing at various stages of manufacturing to ensure functionality and performance standards are met.
How has the technology of chips evolved over the last decade?
Over the last decade, chip technology has evolved significantly, with advancements in nanotechnology allowing for smaller, more powerful, and energy-efficient chips.
What role do ships play in global trade?
Ships play a crucial role in global trade by transporting large quantities of goods and raw materials across oceans, facilitating international commerce and economic connectivity.
What innovations are currently shaping the future of shipping?
Current innovations shaping the future of shipping include the development of autonomous ships, increased use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel, and improvements in logistics and tracking technologies.
Can chips be made from materials other than potatoes?
Yes, chips can also be made from various vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, or even fruits like apples, offering a healthier snack option.
What is the significance of the phrase "when the ship comes in"?
The phrase "when the ship comes in" is an idiom used to express anticipation of good fortune or receiving benefits when circumstances change favorably, historically related to the arrival of goods by sea.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
