commercial

1 of 2

adjective

com·​mer·​cial kə-ˈmər-shəl How to pronounce commercial (audio)
1
a(1)
: occupied with or engaged in commerce or work intended for commerce
a commercial artist
(2)
: of or relating to commerce
commercial regulations
commercial services
(3)
: characteristic of commerce
commercial weights
(4)
: suitable, adequate, or prepared for commerce
found oil in commercial quantities
b(1)
: being of an average or inferior quality
commercial oxalic acid
show-quality versus commercial cattle
(2)
: producing artistic work of low standards for quick market success
2
a
: viewed with regard to profit
a commercial success
of no commercial value
b
: designed for a large market
commercial coffee production
3
: emphasizing skills and subjects useful in business
a commercial school
4
: supported by advertisers
commercial TV
commerciality noun
commercially adverb

commercial

2 of 2

noun

plural commercials
: an advertisement included with another broadcast (as on radio, television, or a podcast)

Examples of commercial in a Sentence

Adjective Their music is too commercial. The average American sees and hears thousands of commercial messages each day. Noun a commercial for a new kind of soap
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The former Illinois standout earned commercial opportunities including national spots, most notably featuring in a Super Bowl ad for Pizza Hut. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024 That remained the case for much of the day as emergency crews began work following the 10 a.m. accident at the intersection where the two highways, 164 and 190, meet in the commercial district on the village's eastern edge. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Paramount Global earlier this year offered a separate broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII on the kid-centric Nickelodeon, complete with its own sportscasters, some separate TV commercials and the network’s signature green slime. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 Each separate image is only on screen for a few seconds, making the commercials little more than quick montages. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for commercial 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see commerce entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of commercial was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near commercial

Cite this Entry

“Commercial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commercial. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

commercial

1 of 2 adjective
com·​mer·​cial kə-ˈmər-shəl How to pronounce commercial (audio)
1
: of or relating to commerce
2
: designed mainly for profit
especially : designed for mass appeal
the commercial theater
3
: paid for by advertisers
commercial TV
commercially adverb

commercial

2 of 2 noun
: an advertisement broadcast on radio or television

Legal Definition

commercial

adjective
com·​mer·​cial
: of or relating to commerce
commercial regulations
commercially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on commercial

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