market

¹mar·ket

noun, often attributive \ˈmär-kət\

Definition of MARKET

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>

Examples of MARKET

1. I stopped at the market on the way home for some juice.
2. They are trying to develop foreign markets for American cotton.
3. The company sells mainly to the Southern market.
4. New markets are opening up all over the world.
5. Advertisers are trying to appeal to the youth market.
6. targeting a more mature market
7. a reference work for the educational market

Origin of MARKET

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

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to MARKET

Synonyms: call, demand, request

Related Words: bear market, bull market; buyer's market, seller's market

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Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite