market

1 of 2

noun

mar·​ket ˈmär-kət 

plural markets

1

a

: a gathering together of people for making private purchases and sales

a public market held in the city square

b(1)

: a public place where a market is held

You must also visit the Porta Palazzo, which is Europe's largest open-air market.

—Antonio Carluccio

—often used without an article after a preposition

Like good home cooks of old, they go to market and pick the best for their kitchens.

—Karola Saekel

especially : a place where provisions are sold at wholesale

a fresh produce market

see also farmers market, flea market

(2)

: a retail establishment usually of a specified kind

a fish market

(3)

: supermarket

picked up some milk at the market

2

: the rate or price offered for a commodity or security

—often used before another noun

selling at market highs and buying at market lows

see also fair market value, market price

3

a

: the area of economic activity in which buyers and sellers come together and the forces of supply and demand affect prices

—usually used with the

They believe that housing prices should be determined by the market without government interference.

—often used before another noun

competitive market forces

an analysis of current market trends/conditions

see also free market

b

: stock market

—usually used with the

The market was down today in heavy trading.

He enjoys playing the market. [=actively buying and selling stocks in the hope of making a profit]

c(1)

: a geographic area of demand for commodities or services

looking to sell in the southern market

They are trying to develop foreign markets for American cotton.

(2)

: a specified category of potential buyers

the youth market

targeting a more mature market

products aimed at the luxury market

see also black market, buyer's market, seller's market

d(1)

: an opportunity for selling something

a good market for used cars

(2)

: the available supply of or potential demand for specified goods or services

the labor market

the job market

the market for consumer electronics

e

: the everyday commercial activity in which commodities are exchanged : extent of demand for goods

The market is sluggish. [=demand/activity is lower than usual]

4

archaic : the act or an instance of buying and selling

see also:

in the market on the market

market

2 of 2

verb

marketed; marketing; markets

transitive verb

1

: to expose for sale in a market

2

: sell

intransitive verb

: to deal in a market

Synonyms of market

Noun

• demand

Verb

• sell

Examples of market in a Sentence

Noun

I stopped at the market on the way home for some juice.

They are trying to develop foreign markets for American cotton.

The company sells mainly to the Southern market.

New markets are opening up all over the world.

Advertisers are trying to appeal to the youth market.

targeting a more mature market

a reference work for the educational market

Verb

The company has spent millions marketing the latest version of its software.

These products are being aggressively marketed to teenagers through television ads.

He markets his wares at craft shows.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But Moores would express misery in recalling ballpark-construction hassles and MLB politics that frustrated his advocacy of small-market clubs and game-day affordability. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Activity in the options market also suggests investors are becoming more confident that the rally can last, the research firm highlighted. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Medical treatments being marketed to firefighters should be evaluated and tested to make sure there are no unintended consequences, DeCrane said. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Experts say firefighters face toxic smoke that can cause long-term disease, but emphasize that anecdotal relief claims are not evidence and urge rigorous testing of any treatment marketed to responders. — Martha Bellisle, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, probably from Continental Germanic; akin to Old Saxon markat marketplace, Old High German marcāt, both ultimately from Latin mercatus trade, marketplace, from mercari to trade, from merc-, merx merchandise

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing market

• anti-market
• bear market
• black market
• bull market
• buyer's market
• come on the market
• common market
• down-market
• fair market value
• farmer's market
• flea market
• free market
• gray market
• in the market
• job market
• labor market
• market basket
• market cap
• market capitalization
• market economy
• market forces
• market garden
• market maker
• market order
• market price
• market research
• market share
• market town
• market value
• mass-market
• meat market
• money market
• on the market
• on the open market
• open market
• pre-market
• price oneself out of the market
• price (someone) out of the market
• seller's market
• single market
• stock market
• sub-market
• take off the market
• test-market
• third market
• wet market

Rhymes for market

• aftermarket
• patriarchate
• supermarket
• nonmarket
• premarket
• upmarket

Kids Definition

market

1 of 2 noun

mar·​ket ˈmär-kət 

1

a

: a meeting together of people to buy and sell

b

: the people at such a meeting

c

: a public place where a market is held

especially : a place where provisions are sold at wholesale

2

: a store where foods are sold to the public

a meat market

3

a

: a geographic region in which things may be sold

markets for American cotton

b

: a particular category of people who might buy

the youth market

4

: an opportunity for selling

a good market for used cars

market

2 of 2 verb

1

: to deal in a market

2

: to offer for sale in a market : sell

marketing

-iŋ

noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English market "market," derived from Latin mercatus "trade, marketplace," derived from mercari "to trade," from merc-, merx "merchandise" — related to commerce, merchant

Legal Definition

market

noun

mar·​ket

1

: the rate or price at which a security or commodity is currently selling : market price

2

a

: a geographical area of demand for commodities or services

seeking new foreign markets

b

: a formal organized system enabling the transaction of business between buyers and sellers of commodities

a futures market

see also stock market

c

: a specified category of potential buyers

the youth market

3

a

: the course of commercial activity by which the exchange of commodities is accomplished

the market is quiet

b

: an opportunity for selling

developing new markets

c

: the available supply of or potential demand for specified goods or services

the labor market

the market for durable goods

d

: the area of economic activity in which buyers and sellers come together and the forces of supply and demand affect prices