grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər How to pronounce grocer (audio) -shər How to pronounce grocer (audio)
: 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
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.
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit. Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Oct. 2025 In March 2020, local grocers like Fry's, Albertsons, Safeway and Bashas' changed their hours as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with most opening later and closing earlier. Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025 That sort of grocer could potentially occupy much or all of the 20,000 square feet. George Avalos, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, a catch-up in sales of organic foods could disproportionately benefit Sprouts versus traditional grocers. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grocer

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of grocer was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grocer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grocer. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

grocer

noun
gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər How to pronounce grocer (audio)
: a dealer in food and household supplies

More from Merriam-Webster on grocer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!