market

Definition

A gathering of people for the purchase and sale of merchandise, often periodic at a set time.

Etymology

From Middle English market, from late Old English market (“market”) and Anglo-Norman markiet (Old French marchié); all ultimately from Latin mercātus (“trade, market”), from mercor (“I trade, deal in, buy”), itself derived from merx (“wares, merchandise”). Cognate with West Frisian merk, Dutch markt, Old High German Markt.

Example Sentences

• "The right to hold a weekly market was an invaluable privilege not given to all towns in the Middle Ages."
• "There's a market every Thursday and Saturday in the town square."
• "The market is a process, actuated by the interplay of the actions of the various individuals cooperating under the division of labor."

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