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

Opening expected soon for new Costco The warehouse grocer has officially listed the new Costco Business Center in Chandler as opening in November 2026. — Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, with beef prices making headlines, retail sales in recent months have edged off of the record volume of 2024 and 2025, and grocers are taking measures to bolster the market. — Israel Schuman, Des Moines Register, 9 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