Definition of mercantile
1 : of or relating to merchants or trading mercantile families mercantile businesses
2 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of mercantilism mercantile system
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Recent Examples of mercantile from the Web
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The entry walkway resembles an Old West town with retro mercantile storefronts lining both sides.
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On a recent afternoon, Marjorie Reitman, who has lived in the Village for 43 years and who was out on Bleecker Street walking her neighbor’s dog, Walter, reflected on the street’s mercantile past.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mercantile'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of mercantile
French, from Italian, from mercante merchant, from Latin mercant-, mercans, from present participle of mercari to trade — more at market
First Known Use: 1638
Other Business Terms
MERCANTILE Defined for English Language Learners
mercantile
playDefinition of mercantile for English Language Learners
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: of or relating to the business of buying and selling products to earn money : of or relating to trade or merchants
MERCANTILE Defined for Kids
mercantile
playDefinition of mercantile for Students
: of or relating to merchants or trade a rich mercantile family
Learn More about mercantile
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See words that rhyme with mercantile Spanish Central: Translation of mercantile Nglish: Translation of mercantile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mercantile for Arabic speakers
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