price

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈprīs 

1

a

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

b

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

2

: the cost at which something is obtained

… the price of freedom is restraint …

—J. Irwin Miller

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

archaic : value, worth

price

2 of 3

verb

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

pricer

3 of 3

noun (2)

pric·​er

ˈprīsə(r)

plural -s

: one that prices something: such as

a

: a person that fixes prices of merchandise

especially : an expert that values and sets a price on specialty items (as jewels or antiques)

b

: a shopper that inquires about and compares prices often with little intention of buying

c

: a clerk who marks prices on stock and quotes prices to inquirers

Synonyms of price

Noun (1)

• cost
• fee
• rate

Examples of price in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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.

Verb

They priced the house too high.

Workers quickly priced the new merchandise.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Industry statistics show that residential electricity prices in California run 89% above the national average and have climbed nearly 9% compared to the same period last year, while fuel prices across the state continue to set new highs. — CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Washington has recently toyed with price controls on credit cards through interest-rate caps and restrictions on late fees, as if credit can be made cheaper by government order. — Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

YIMBYism has gone from a fringe concern to an organizing principle for young people priced out of cities. — David Freedlander, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2026

Markets are pricing in a 100% chance of the ECB raising its key interest rate by at least 25 basis points, according to LSEG data. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing price

• a price on someone's head
• asking price
• at any price
• at a price
• at cost price
• at what price
• base price
• beyond price
• bride-price
• carries a hefty price tag
• closing price
• consumer price index
• cut-price
• full price
• giveaway price
• half price
• hammer price
• hefty price tag
• list price
• market price
• name one's price
• off-price
• pre-price
• price-cutter
• price-earnings ratio
• price-fixing
• price gouging
• price index
• price oneself out of the market
• price point
• price (someone) out of the market
• price support
• price tag
• price war
• purchase price
• put a price on
• put a price tag on
• reserve price
• selling price
• starting price
• sticker price
• street price
• strike price
• the retail price index
• upset price
• wellhead price
• what price glory/fame

Rhymes for price

• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice
• ice
• lice
• mice
• slice
• spice
• splice
• thrice
• trice

Kids Definition

price

1 of 2 noun

ˈprīs 

1

: the quantity of one thing and especially money that is exchanged or demanded in exchange for another

2

: reward entry 2 sense 1

a price on an outlaw's head

3

: the cost at which something is gotten or done

victory at any price

price

2 of 2 verb

priced; pricing

1

: to set a price on

2

: to ask the price of

pricer noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pris "prize, price," from early French pris (same meaning), from Latin pretium "price, money" — related to appreciate, praise, precious, prize entry 1

Biographical Definition

Price

biographical name

ˈprīs 

(Mary) Le*on*tyne lē-ˈän-ˌtēn 

ˈlē-ən-ˌtēn, 

ˈlā-

1927–     American soprano