grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər  -shər 

: a dealer in staple foodstuffs, meats, produce, and dairy products and usually household supplies

Examples of grocer in a Sentence

Ask your local grocer if he sells organic fruits and vegetables.

Recent Examples on the Web

The latest not-food-in-your-food recall pulls pints of a non-dairy frozen dessert from the shelves of Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Target and other grocers. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

The discount grocer, founded in 1977, has locations in Colorado, Ohio, New York, Florida and beyond. — Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

As competitors like Publix, Sprouts Farmers Market and Wegmans expand in the region, other grocers have also been investing in store improvements, including retail giants Walmart and Target. — Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

Expect more international grocers to add tourist-facing signage, English-language product callouts, tax-free counters and shipping options at flagship locations. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grocer, grosser "wholesale dealer in preserved foods, spices, wine, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French groser, grosser, grossour (Middle French grossier), from gros "the greater part, the bulk," en gros "wholesale, in bulk" (derivative of gros, adjective, "large, great, coarse") + -er, -our -er entry 2 — more at gross entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grocer

• closer
• grosser
• greengrocer

Kids Definition

grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər 

: a dealer in food and household supplies