Main Entry: ¹mar·ket

Pronunciation: \ˈmär-kət\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, probably from Continental GMC; akin to Old Saxon markat marketplace, Old High German marcāt, both ultimately from Latin mercatus trade, marketplace, from mercari to trade, from merc-, merx merchandise

Date: 12th century

1 a (1) : a meeting together of people for the purpose of trade by private purchase and sale and usually not by auction (2) : the people assembled at such a meeting b (1) : a public place where a market is held; especially : a place where provisions are sold at wholesale <a farmers' market> (2) : a retail establishment usually of a specified kind <a fish market>
2 archaic : the act or an instance of buying and selling
3 : the rate or price offered for a commodity or security
4 a (1) : a geographic area of demand for commodities or services (2) : a specified category of potential buyers <the youth market> b : the course of commercial activity by which the exchange of commodities is effected : extent of demand <the market is dull> c (1) : an opportunity for selling <a good market for used cars> (2) : the available supply of or potential demand for specified goods or services <the labor market> d : the area of economic activity in which buyers and sellers come together and the forces of supply and demand affect prices <producing goods for market rather than for consumption>

— in the market : in the position of being a potential buyer <in the market for a house>

— on the market : available for purchase; also : up for sale <put their house on the market>