SINCE 1828

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presell

verb pre·sell \ (ˌ)prē-ˈsel \

Definition of presell

presold play \(ˌ)prē-ˈsōld\; preselling

transitive verb

1 : to precondition (someone, such as a customer) for subsequent purchase or create advance demand for (something, such as a product) especially through marketing strategies

2 : to sell in advance

raised money to publish the book by preselling film rights

Recent Examples of presell from the Web

Before Amazon’s largess, Mr. Allen, like most indie filmmakers, financed his movies by preselling distribution rights.

— melena ryzik and brooks barnes, New York Times, "Can Woody Allen Work in Hollywood Again?," 28 Jan. 2018
This month, Bob Dylan also used the site to presell concert tickets.

— associated press, WIRED, "Holdout Bands Give In to iTunes," 20 Aug. 2006

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'presell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of presell

1845

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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