aftermarket

noun

af·​ter·​mar·​ket ˈaf-tər-ˌmär-kət 

plural aftermarkets

1

: the market for parts and accessories used in the repair or enhancement of a product (such as an automobile)

2

: a secondary market (see market entry 1 sense 4c(1)) available after sales in the original market are finished

a movie in the DVD aftermarket

3

: the market for a stock following its initial public offering when its shares can be freely traded among investors

Examples of aftermarket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Headquartered south of Munich in Kochel, Germany, Nugget Schmiede got its start on the rental and sale side of the Ford Nugget, eventually honing its skills at customizing Ford's small camper van and developing aftermarket components and accessories for it. —New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026

The mood around EVs can be attributed to many factors, such as the loss of federal tax credits in 2025; the end of emissions waivers and revenues from carbon credits; and diminished aftermarket values as consumers fear battery degradation and anticipate quickly evolving technologies. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026

Quality aftermarket sensors are about half the cost of the factory part and typically last just as long. —John Paul, The Providence Journal, 16 Jan. 2026

The biggest draw to the aftermarket is probably variety. —Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

after- + market entry 1

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for aftermarket

• patriarchate
• supermarket
• market
• nonmarket
• premarket
• upmarket