zending

Zending is a Dutch noun with several related meanings centered on the act of sending and what is sent. The primary sense is the act of sending or dispatching something to a recipient, as well as the object that has been sent, such as a letter, package, or shipment. The term derives from the verb zenden “to send” and is cognate with similar forms in other Germanic languages.

In logistics and postal contexts, zending denotes a shipment or consignment. It can refer to both the contents and the process of transport, and is sometimes accompanied by identifiers such as a zendingnummer (shipment tracking number) to follow the delivery. In everyday language, however, verzending is more common for the act of sending, while zending is often used in formal or technical contexts.

In broadcasting, the standard Dutch term for a radio or television program is uitzending; zending is less common and generally appears in historical, technical, or ceremonial language rather than in everyday usage.

In religious contexts, zending refers to missionary activity—the sending of missionaries to spread a faith. Zending can describe the mission itself or the organizations involved in it, such as zendingmaatschappijen or zendingorganisaties within church networks, which often engage in education, health care, and translation work.

See also: verzending, verzenden, uitzending, mission.