commodity

noun

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com·mod·i·ty | \ kə-ˈmä-də-tē

plural commodities

Definition of commodity

1 : an economic good: such as

a : a product of agriculture or mining agricultural commodities like grain and corn

b : an article of commerce especially when delivered for shipment reported the damaged commodities to officials

c : a mass-produced unspecialized product commodity chemicals commodity memory chips

2a : something useful or valued that valuable commodity, patience also : thing, entity

b : convenience, advantage … the many commodities incidental to the life of a public office …— Charles Lamb

3 : a good or service whose wide availability typically leads to smaller profit margins and diminishes the importance of factors (such as brand name) other than price

4 : one that is subject to ready exchange or exploitation within a market … stars as individuals and as commodities of the film industry. — Film Quarterly

5 obsolete : quantity, lot

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about commodity

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Examples of commodity in a Sentence

agricultural commodities like grain and corn Oil is a commodity in high demand. Patience is a rare commodity.

Recent Examples on the Web Since heaters generally reduce moisture, humidifiers may become a coveted commodity during the pandemic winter. — Cameron Fields, cleveland, "Humidity can help ward off coronavirus transmission: Here’s a list of top humidifiers," 14 Oct. 2020 But inflation was roaring ahead and investors thought commodity demand from a fast-growing China would keep prices rising. — James Mackintosh, WSJ, "Does Gold Protect Your Investment Portfolio? Think Again," 13 Oct. 2020 The pandemic turned sleepless nights into a commodity. — Mike Sutter, ExpressNews.com, "Your guide to 7 great new coffee shops in San Antonio: Black Rifle Coffee Co., Coffee Me Crazy, Eleven O Two, Extra Fine, Folklores East, Jolt Coffee and Beverage and Rodkeys," 8 Oct. 2020 The gas crisis and environmental anxieties of the 1970s still haunt us, given our continuing dependence on a commodity that is killing the planet. — Washington Post, "I returned to the National Gallery seeking comfort. But art no longer feels like an escape.," 7 Oct. 2020 When the free agent signing period opens Friday, goalies might be a popular commodity because of how populous the pool is compared to other years. — Sarah Mclellan, Star Tribune, "With Devan Dubnyk gone, what will Wild do about goaltending?," 6 Oct. 2020 Bloomberg reported this summer that the loss of office access has indeed turned printers into hot Covid commodity. — Sarah Todd, Quartz at Work, "Just buy a dang printer already," 4 Oct. 2020 Who to sit: A more efficient Baker Mayfield (CLE) appears to be a less valuable fantasy commodity. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Fantasy Football Week 4: Start and Sit," 1 Oct. 2020 There’s always that one day when everyone in the family is rushing around trying to wrap last-minute gifts all at once, and tape becomes an extremely hot commodity. — Elizabeth Sheldon, Country Living, "5 Ways to Prep Your Home for the Holidays," 1 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'commodity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.