broker

noun

bro·​ker ˈbrō-kər How to pronounce broker (audio)
1
: one who acts as an intermediary: such as
a
: an agent who arranges marriages
b
: an agent who negotiates contracts of purchase and sale (as of real estate, commodities, or securities)
2
3
: one who sells or distributes something
an information broker
broker verb

Examples of broker in a Sentence

the broker in the hostage situation was a prominent reporter that the gunman felt he could trust all of the local yacht brokers were at the boat show
Recent Examples on the Web Among the types of businesses that the FTC says are covered by the law are payday lenders, car dealerships — and mortgage brokers. Colin Lecher and Ross Teixeira, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024 Many homebuilders are aligning themselves with insurance companies or brokers, too. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 14 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for broker 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'broker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, negotiator, from Anglo-French brocour

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of broker was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near broker

Cite this Entry

“Broker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broker. Accessed 19 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

broker

noun
bro·​ker ˈbrō-kər How to pronounce broker (audio)
: a person who acts as an agent in the purchase and sale of property

Legal Definition

broker

noun
bro·​ker ˈbrō-kər How to pronounce broker (audio)
: an agent who negotiates contracts of sale (as of real estate or securities) or other agreements (as insurance contracts or mortgages) between the parties for a fee or commission compare dealer, finder

Note: An insurance broker differs from an insurance agent in that a broker is usually considered an agent of the insured, even though he or she may receive a commission from an insurance company. A broker may sell the products of a number of insurers, and an insurer has no liability for a broker's wrongful actions. A securities broker often acts also as a dealer and so is often referred to as a broker-dealer.

More from Merriam-Webster on broker

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