salesman

noun

sales·​man ˈsālz-mən How to pronounce salesman (audio)
plural salesmen
: a person (especially a man) whose job is to sell a product or service in a given territory, in a store, or by telephone compare salesperson, saleswoman

Examples of salesman in a Sentence

He was the company's best salesman last year. a furniture salesman followed us around the whole time we looked for a new couch
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What salesman would have a job if 20% of their sales lost money? Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2025 Like any successful salesman, Blackshire skirted his product’s flaws. Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025 No expert witnesses testified in support of the beddings salesman’s claims. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025 Markey and Elizabeth Warren aren’t getting much attention these days, and Steve Lynch sometimes sounds like a used car salesman. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for salesman

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of salesman was in 1523

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Salesman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salesman. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

salesman

noun
sales·​man -mən How to pronounce salesman (audio)
: one who sells in a specific territory or in a store
salesmanship
-ˌship
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on salesman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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