brick-and-mortar

adjective

brick-and-mor·​tar ˈbrik-ən(d)-ˈmȯr-tər 

variants or bricks-and-mortar

: relating to or being a traditional business serving customers in a building as contrasted to an online business

a brick-and-mortar store

Examples of brick-and-mortar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But far from hurting retail sales, Lottery officials at the time of the Legislature’s approval predicted potential benefits for brick-and-mortar outlets. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026

Creating a viable marketplace that operates online, at their Charleston brick-and-mortar store and through trunk shows held in boutiques across the nation underpins Ibu’s strategy for helping women artisans translate their skills into a reliable income. —Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 28 May 2026

Why operate out of a ghost kitchen instead of a brick-and-mortar restaurant? —Ella Gonzales may 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026

Tacos Cometa’s brick-and-mortar evolution is kiosk-order casual, but the aproned crew grills and plates with the focus of an elite fine dining team. —Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for brick-and-mortar

• colporteur
• exporter
• headquarter
• importer
• reporter
• supporter
• transporter
• mortar
• quarter
• shorter
• sorter