Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

stock-in-trade

noun \ ˌstäk-ən-ˈtrād , ˈstäk-ən-ˌtrād \

Definition of stock-in-trade

1 : the equipment, merchandise, or materials necessary to or used in a trade or business
2 : something that resembles the standard equipment of a tradesman or business
  • humor was her stock-in-trade as a writer

See stock-in-trade defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of stock-in-trade

1721

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

STOCK-IN-TRADE Defined for English Language Learners

stock-in-trade

noun

Definition of stock-in-trade for English Language Learners

  • : something that someone or something does or makes very well and often

Law Dictionary

stock in trade

legal Definition of stock in trade

: the equipment, merchandise, or materials necessary to or used in a trade or business

Learn More about stock-in-trade

  1. See words that rhyme with stock-in-trade

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up stock-in-trade? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

quail

play

to recoil in dread or terror

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  2. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  3. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  4. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

  5. suborn 'to induce to commit perjury'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

stock-in-trade

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games