marketplace

noun

mar·​ket·​place ˈmär-kət-ˌplās How to pronounce marketplace (audio)
1
a
: an open square or place in a town where markets or public sales are held
b
: market
the marketplace is the interpreter of supply and demand
2
: the world of trade or economic activity : the everyday world
3
: a sphere in which intangible values compete for acceptance
the marketplace of ideas

Examples of marketplace in a Sentence

Their products must compete in the marketplace. The company has struggled to survive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
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.
Only 7% of the country is enrolled in a marketplace plan, and even broadening the definition to include Medicaid expansion coverage as well as marketplace plans, just 13% of the population uses Obamacare. Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025 To wit, the dawn of streaming platforms with global reach such as Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and Prime Video has created a global entertainment marketplace that is readily accessible for consumers and producers alike. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025 Reese, a Chicago Sky forward, fronts the cover of NBA 2K26, and the latest Ionescu Nike signature sneaker release made headway in the marketplace. Ben Pickman, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Russo coached Boca Juniors this season, including at the Club World Cup… Latin musical artist Bebeshito will perform at halftime of Friday’s game… Tickets for Friday’s match are available through Ticketmaster and online secondary marketplaces. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for marketplace

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of marketplace was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Marketplace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marketplace. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

marketplace

noun
mar·​ket·​place ˈmär-kət-ˌplās How to pronounce marketplace (audio)
1
: an open square or place in a town where markets are held
2
: the world of trade

Legal Definition

marketplace

noun
mar·​ket·​place ˈmär-kət-ˌplās How to pronounce marketplace (audio)
: the economic system through which different companies compete with each other to sell their products

More from Merriam-Webster on marketplace

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