1
: being or relating to a small owner-operated business
a mom-and-pop grocery
2

Examples of mom-and-pop in a Sentence

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.
Firm research shows mom-and-pop investors are typically devoting only a small portion of their overall portfolios to these speculative plays, while keeping most of their money in more traditional investments. Yun Li,kate Rooney,alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026 Lawler said firefighters did a good job of keeping the fire from spreading to the other 18 units in the mall, saving millions of dollars worth of commercial space, some of which are mom-and-pop businesses. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 His research has shown that roughly 1% of the entire single-family housing stock is owned by big investors, about 11% by smaller mom-and-pop shop investors, and 87% by individuals. Connor Greene, Time, 21 Jan. 2026 The biggest chunk of that appears to be smaller mom-and-pop landlords rather than giant corporations. Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mom-and-pop

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of mom-and-pop was in 1945

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Cite this Entry

“Mom-and-pop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mom-and-pop. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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