Definition

Supporting or imagining a romantic relationship between two people, whether real public figures or fictional characters. The term comes from 'relationship' and is used by fans to express hope that two people will become or stay romantically involved.

Example Usage

I've been shipping those two characters since season one—they'd be perfect together.

Origin

Originated in fan communities in the 1990s, particularly among anime and TV show fans, derived from the word 'relationship.'

Fun Fact

Popular pairings often get portmanteau ship names, like 'Brangelina' for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie or 'Jelena' for Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)