grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər How to pronounce grocer (audio) -shər How to pronounce grocer (audio)
: a dealer in staple foodstuffs, meats, produce, and dairy products and usually household supplies

Examples of grocer in a Sentence

Ask your local grocer if he sells organic fruits and vegetables.
Recent Examples on the Web When other grocers run out, Walmart stays in stock, usually at the expense of competitors without such leverage. Errol Schweizer, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Kroger's takeover of rival grocer Albertsons hit a snag on Monday when the Federal Trade Commission sued to stop the merger, claiming the deal would hurt supermarket competition, lead to higher grocery prices and depressed wages that would hit employees. The Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2024 Further, Ferguson’s suit blasted a $1.9 billion deal announced in September by the grocers to sell off 413 stores to Piggly Wiggly operator and franchiser C&S Wholesale Grocers. Alexander Coolidge, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 The area, 15 minutes north of Uptown off the 485 exchange, is solidly suburban: full of higher end grocers, familiar restaurant chains and retailers. Emiene Wright, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 The organization receives plentiful donations from private citizens as well as grocers like Walmart, Whole Foods and Kwik Trip. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2024 And so grocers are clearly under pressure to compete on price. Tyler Renaghan, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024 Politically, though, big grocers make the most appealing target for Mr. Biden. Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024 The gourmet Italian grocer, in the spot previously occupied by the Red Sea convenience store, is expected to open in late May, according to owner Tommy George. Katherine Peralta, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grocer.' 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, from Anglo-French groser wholesaler, from gros coarse, wholesale — more at gross

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grocer was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near grocer

Cite this Entry

“Grocer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grocer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grocer

noun
gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər How to pronounce grocer (audio)
: a dealer in food and household supplies

More from Merriam-Webster on grocer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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