vendor

noun

ven·​dor ˈven-dər How to pronounce vendor (audio)
for sense 1 also ven-ˈdȯr
variants or less commonly vender
Synonyms of vendor
1
: one that vends : seller
2

Examples of vendor in a Sentence

we're thinking of making a deal with that other software vendor
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.
Street vendors rallied outside Oakland City Hall Thursday, accusing the city of criminalizing people who are trying to earn a living as officials step up enforcement against unpermitted vending. Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at Omdia, said access to the Chinese market remains the primary driver for many such partnerships, particularly as global automakers increasingly turn to Chinese vendors for software, AI and other systems to sell in China. Jenny Lee, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 Another state-run newspaper, Global New Light of Myanmar, said authorities asked street food vendors selling high-risk items to close for about three days to curb the spread. ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 The next generation of important AI companies may look less like software vendors and more like operators. Roman Pedan, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vendor

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French vendur, vendour, from vendre "to sell" + -ur, -our -or entry 1 — more at vend

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vendor was in 1594

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vendor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vendor. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

: one that sells : seller

Legal Definition

: one that sells something

More from Merriam-Webster on vendor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!