mom-and-pop

adjective

ˈmäm-ən(d)-ˈpäp 

1

: being or relating to a small owner-operated business

a mom-and-pop grocery

2

: small-scale

Examples of mom-and-pop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Probably—there are some economies of scale to compliance and, yes, the big chains have lobbying muscle and political connections that most mom-and-pop shops don’t. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026

PB5star was preparing, from its inception, to be able to handle the kind of large-scale wholesale orders that accompany big-box store sales contracts, instead of building like a typical mom-and-pop store. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Visitors can browse the street’s tiny mom-and-pop shops, including one selling AFC Richmond swag. — Mackenzie Schmidt, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

The two were inspired to bring back a mom-and-pop breakfast restaurant to their neighborhood. — Emma Hall august 5, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mom-and-pop

• barbershop
• countertop
• lollipop
• mountaintop
• photoshop
• tabletop
• turboprop
• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop