1
: grocery items (such as tobacco, sugar, flour, and coffee) that do not contain liquid
2
: textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, and notions as distinguished especially from hardware and groceries

Examples of dry goods in a Sentence

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.
My goal there is to support the pantry with fresh produce to complement their canned and dry goods. Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2025 On the left side of travel, the hatch stores the kitchen slide-out with sink and 2,000-W dual-spot induction cooktop, dry goods pantry and electrical panel. New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2025 Inspectors observed rodent droppings on top of dry goods storage boxes, as well as a bag of flour and box of paper towels that appeared to have been chewed through. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2025 Salmonella contamination in dry goods like nuts is particularly concerning, as the bacteria can survive for extended periods and potentially cause outbreaks through bulk distribution. Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dry goods

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of dry goods was in 1657

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Cite this Entry

“Dry goods.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dry%20goods. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

dry goods

plural noun
: cloth goods (as fabrics, lace, and ribbon)

More from Merriam-Webster on dry goods

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