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 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

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