mercantile

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adjective mer·can·tile \ ˈmər-kən-ˌtēl , -ˌtī(-ə)l \

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

INSURANCE Acuity hired Aaron Stamm as mercantile business segment specialist.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New hires, promotions at Wisconsin companies," 24 Aug. 2017
This cozy museum features local archaeological finds; pioneer crafts; mercantile and family genealogy records; Civil War displays; and toys and musical instruments, including a violano, an Edison phonograph, and more.

— joy wallace dickinson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "History is on calendar as school bells ring," 13 Aug. 2017
Neither, the Italian government worries, does Venice. Don’t look now, but Venice, once a great maritime and mercantile power, risks being conquered by day-trippers.

— jason horowitz photographs by andrew testa, New York Times, "Venice, Invaded by Tourists, Risks Becoming ‘Disneyland on the Sea’," 2 Aug. 2017
According to the Interior Ministry, 34 percent of rescues have been performed by humanitarian organizations, 28 percent by the Italian Coast Guard, with other operations such as Frontex and mercantile ships, handle the rest.

— nicole winfield, The Seattle Times, "Aid groups wary of proposed Italian rules on migrant rescues," 14 July 2017
According to the Interior Ministry, 34 percent of rescues have been performed by humanitarian organizations, 28 percent by the Italian Coast Guard, with other operations such as Frontex and mercantile ships, handle the rest.

— Washington Post, "Aid groups wary of proposed Italian rules on migrant rescues," 14 July 2017
In 1901, Hart went into partnership with John Gregg, and formed a mercantile business under the name of Hart & Gregg.

— kansascity, kansascity.com, "Plans are being made for the annual Freeman Homecoming," 28 June 2017
Built in 1837, the historic mercantile facility on the Ohio & Erie Canal, located off of North Street, was restored with a partnership between the city of Akron, Natural Park Service, Summit Metro Parks and the Cascade Locks Association.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "Duck Derby highlight of family fun during Canal Days (photos)," 19 June 2017
The Silk Road may be ancient history but to see modern mercantile hustle in full effect, there is nowhere more exciting in Central Asia.

— rob crossan, CNN, "6 Silk Road secrets: Traveling in Central Asia's Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan," 5 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1638

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Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

MERCANTILE Defined for English Language Learners

mercantile

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adjective

Definition of mercantile for English Language Learners

: 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

play

adjective mer·can·tile \ ˈmər-kən-ˌtēl , -ˌtīl \

Definition of mercantile for Students

:of or relating to merchants or trade

a rich mercantile family

Learn More about mercantile

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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