price

noun \ ˈprīs \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of price

1 archaic :value, worth

2 a :the quantity of one thing that is exchanged or demanded in barter or sale for another

b :the amount of money given or set as consideration for the sale of a specified thing

3 :the terms for the sake of which something is done or undertaken: such as

a :an amount sufficient to bribe one

believed every man had his price

b :a reward for the apprehension or death of a person

an outlaw with a price on his head

4 :the cost at which something is obtained

the price of freedom is restraint
—J. Irwin Miller

See price defined for English-language learners

See price defined for kids

Examples of price in a Sentence

You paid a high price for the car.
We bought the house at a good price.
The price of milk rose.
What is the difference in price between the two cars?
I know he said he wouldn't do it, but I think it's just a matter of finding his price.

Recent Examples of price from the Web

The Palm Beach Zoo is having its fourth annual Kids Free Labor Day Weekend, so up to six kids ages 12 and under get in free with a regular-price adult admission.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "What to do with the kids this weekend: Free zoo, bowling and crafts events," 30 Aug. 2017
Prices: Start at $5 for salads, $6.50 for starters, $9.50 for sandwiches, $11.50 for raw bar items, $13.50 for shore specialties and $14.50 for entrees, billed as being a stone's throw from the lake.

— jessi virtusio, Post-Tribune, "Bartlett's Fish Camp features fresh raw oysters," 30 Aug. 2017
Totals have yet to come in from other youth groups selling tickets in advance, another way the Kiwanians help local organizations since the sellers get to keep half of the ticket prices.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Kiwanians to hold 49th annual pancake breakfast on Saturday," 30 Aug. 2017
While those, however, carried price tags nearing $2,000, this take on the trend from Reformation will only set you back $148.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Reformation's Zipper Jeans Unzip Into Two Pieces," 30 Aug. 2017
Baby backs are roughly double the price of a St. Louis sparerib.

— jill wendholt silva, kansascity, "Not your average Joe: Meet the man behind Joe’s Kansas City barbecue, Jeff Stehney," 30 Aug. 2017
Now, Irish Rover is hoping to change that perception, including offering more price points on popular wines.

— dana mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, "Set the whiskey down. Irish Rover wants you to drink wine with dinner," 29 Aug. 2017
This Texas hotel started nearly tripling room prices ‘

— tom uhler, star-telegram, "It’s hard not to like this iconic Houston furniture owner," 29 Aug. 2017
Motor fuel prices rose as much as 6.8 percent and oil in New York slipped 2.6 percent.

— jessica summers, chicagotribune.com, "Gasoline jumps, oil slips as Harvey slams Texas refinery center," 28 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of price

Middle English pris, from Anglo-French, from Latin pretium price, money; probably akin to Sanskrit prati- against, in return — more at pros-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

price Synonyms

Synonyms

ante, charge, cost, damage, fee, figure, freight, price tag

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

price

verb

Definition of price

priced; pricing

transitive verb

1 :to set a price on

2 :to find out the price of

3 :to drive by raising prices excessively

priced themselves out of the market

—

pricer

noun

See price defined for English-language learners

Examples of price in a Sentence

They priced the house too high.
Workers quickly priced the new merchandise.

Recent Examples of price from the Web

The VW T-Roc, priced at about 20,000 euros ($23,600), is set to reach European showrooms in November and then go on sale in almost all major markets worldwide.

— christoph rauwald, Bloomberg.com, "VW Rolls Out a Two-Tone Compact SUV to Challenge Nissan," 23 Aug. 2017
Chief among the changes for the new iPhones: refreshed versions, including a premium model priced at around $999, according to people briefed on the product, who asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

— brian x. chen, New York Times, "Dear iPhone: Here’s Why We’re Still Together After 10 Years," 23 Aug. 2017
Most experts report that on September 30th the investment amount will increase from $500k to $1.3m, a significant jump that will price out many potential investors.

— sami j. karam, National Review, "A Different Kind of Border Wall," 21 Aug. 2017
Still, Berlin had largely priced in a rapprochement between Messrs Trump and Putin.

— The Economist, "Teutonic tremorsGermany fears Donald Trump will divide Europe," 15 July 2017
Each drink is priced at $10, and the Drug Store plans to feature celebrity bartenders and live DJ’s in the near future.

— natalina lopez, Town & Country, "Dirty Lemon Opens its First Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Bar," 30 June 2017
Theft Amadensz Kotlewski, 36, of the 1900 block of Persimmon Court, Schaumburg, was charged with retail theft at 6:55 p.m. June 18 after taking merchandise priced at $39.50 from Macy's, 1 Oakbrook Center.

— chuck fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Police blotter: Oak Brook police catch Countryside teen with alcohol in vehicle," 23 June 2017
WE’D PROCRASTINATED in booking a room for a spring visit to Charleston, S.C., and were priced out of the good hotels.

— christian l. wright, WSJ, "How Airbnb and Its Rivals are Winning Over Hotel Snobs," 22 June 2017
However, the company is preparing to launch its Model 3, and that version reportedly will be priced in the $35,000 range.

— gordon dickson, star-telegram, "Tesla may open luxury electric car gallery at Clearfork in Fort Worth," 22 June 2017

First Known Use of price

15th century

Other Business Terms

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

Price

biographical name \ ˈprīs \

Definition of Price

(Mary) Le*on*tyne play \lē-ˈän-ˌtēn;ˈlē-ən-ˌtēn, ˈlā-\ 1927– American soprano

PRICE Defined for English Language Learners

price

noun

Definition of price for English Language Learners

: the amount of money that you pay for something or that something costs
: the thing that is lost, damaged, or given up in order to get or do something
: the amount of money needed to persuade someone to do something

price

verb

Definition of price for English Language Learners

: to say or decide how much something costs : to give a price to (something)
: to put a price on (something) : to attach a price tag to (something)
: to learn the price of (something that you are thinking about buying)

PRICE Defined for Kids

price

noun \ ˈprīs \

Definition of price for Students

1 :the quantity of one thing given or asked for something else :the amount of money paid or to be paid

2 :the cost at which something is gotten or done

Giving up privacy is the price of fame.

3 :a reward for the capture of a criminal

Synonym Discussion of price

price, charge, and cost mean the amount asked or given in payment for something. price usually refers to what is asked for goods.

- What is the price of the car?

charge usually refers to the amount asked for services.

- There is a charge for the first visit.

cost is usually used to state what is paid for something by the buyer rather than what is asked by the seller.

- The cost of our dinner seemed very high.

price

verb

Definition of price for Students

priced; pricing

1 :to determine the amount something costs

The house is priced too high.

2 :to find out how much something costs

I've been pricing TVs.

Learn More about price

See words that rhyme with price Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for price Spanish Central: Translation of price Nglish: Translation of price for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of price for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about price

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price

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pricer

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Price

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PRICE Defined for English Language Learners

price

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price

Definition of price for English Language Learners

PRICE Defined for Kids

price

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