mom-and-pop

adjective

ˈmäm-ən(d)-ˈpäp 

1

: being or relating to a small owner-operated business

a mom-and-pop grocery

2

: small-scale

Examples of mom-and-pop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Landing a job at the back of a mom-and-pop shop feels almost as hard as scoring a full-time corporate role. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

The two were inspired to bring back a mom-and-pop breakfast restaurant to their neighborhood. — Emma Hall august 5, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Yu, who said he’s spoken with his and Wang’s mutual acquaintances to offer help for Gu Grocery, noted that he hasn’t been approached by the mom-and-pop team. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Small mom-and-pop landlords with under 10 homes control about 85% of the rental market. — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mom-and-pop

• barbershop
• countertop
• lollipop
• mountaintop
• photoshop
• tabletop
• turboprop
• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop