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

Meanwhile, Kroger, the nation's largest pure-play grocer, is pursuing regional expansion and full-service breadth. — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

But even if Costco is unable to amend the site’s zoning plan, it’s not guaranteed that the store would remain a wholesale grocer either. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

The specialty grocer stocks majority Mexican products, as well items from El Salvador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and other countries. — Catherine Muccigrosso july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

Prices for cherries on the Fourth of July were similar to last year, according to a USDA report based on prices advertised by grocers. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 7 July 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