retail

1 of 4

verb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
 especially for sense 2 also  ri-ˈtāl
retailed; retailing; retails

transitive verb

1
: to sell in small quantities directly to the ultimate consumer
2

intransitive verb

: to sell at retail
retailer noun

retail

2 of 4

noun

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
: the sale of commodities or goods in small quantities to ultimate consumers
also : the industry of such selling

retail

3 of 4

adjective

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
: of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of commodities at retail
retail trade

retail

4 of 4

adverb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
: in small quantities : from a retailer
Phrases
at retail
1
: at a retailer's price
2

Examples of retail in a Sentence

Verb We retail clothing at the best possible prices. jewelry that retails from $100 Noun She has a job in retail. Adjective Is that price retail or wholesale? Adverb You usually have to pay more if you buy something retail than if you buy it wholesale. The product sells retail for about $100.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Lynn Reaser, economist YES: The plan creates a good balance between hotels, restaurants and retailing with 20.6 acres of parks, plazas and open space. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 Formerly retailing for $24, get this Nintendo Switch Docking Station on sale for only $19.99 for a limited time. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2024 But Take Note These jeans regularly retail for $189, which is on the high end for maternity clothing. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 4 Mar. 2024 The adapter, which is manufactured by Tesla and allows EVs equipped with Combined Charging System (CCS 1) outlets to use Tesla’s Superchargers, typically retails for $230. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024 To celebrate 40 years of distilling mastery, Midleton Very Rare has just announced its 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition, retailing at €20,000 ($21,690). Lela London, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The value was updated in 2018, potentially retailing at $1.2 million–$2.2 million. Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2024 Styles was spotted with The Row’s luxe leather Margaux bag in tow, which retails for $4,390. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024 An annual membership to Sam’s Club normally retails for $50, but through Feb. 23, new members can get it for just $20. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
Workers who earn under $50,000 a year, and those who work in jobs that cannot be done remotely like retail, health care and manufacturing (the majority of the work force), have barely budged in their average distance from work. Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Many have left the job — about one in five teachers turned over in 2022 — for higher-paying positions at restaurants or in retail. Moriah Balingit, Quartz, 3 Mar. 2024 Two of the biggest names in big-box retail have boosted their bets on a growing trend for brick-and-mortar sales: smaller stores. Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 The evolution of retail in the 21st century has been characterized by an explosion of choice driven by new technologies. Dana Dunne, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Such takeover plans have rarely worked well in retail. Chris Isidore, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 John Shapiro gave me a few key initial considerations pertaining to the use of the mixed reality devices in retail, as well as in the longer term as independent retailers are able to deploy other solutions. 1. Walter Loeb, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The affordable residences are part of Stevens Creek Promenade in San Jose, a big mixed-use development that will feature housing, retail and a hotel. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 The $450 million megaproject includes 431 apartments, 280,000-square-feet of office space, five floors of underground parking and 19,000-square-feet for retail on the ground floor. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The measure also eases restrictions that have been blamed for fostering a lax police response to retail and property crimes. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The subscription program has been a boon for Walmart, as online and in-person grocery sales have not only helped the retail giant grow sales, but also eclipse Amazon in the online grocery market. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 The law permits in-person wagering at retail sportsbooks located within 1.5 miles of any of the eight professional sports facilities in the state. Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2024 Barth said a lack of laws banning retail dog sales could make Indiana cities a target for retailers who use questionable breeders. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Altitude Trampoline Park has rented a portion of a former Walmart Supercenter store at 5502 Monterey Street in South San Jose, a retail building that’s part of a big shopping center called Monterey Plaza, according to documents on file with the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 The 2025 Explorer midsize SUV will no longer offer a hybrid powertrain to retail customers. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Top lenders have traditionally written many mortgages directly for consumers, or retail lending. Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024 Luxury brands offering repairs is nothing new, but showcasing these services as the main reason to visit a store through a dedicated retail space is. Clara Ludmir, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retail.' 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

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French retaille cutting, deduction, retail, from retailler to cut out, from re- + tailler to cut — more at tailor

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1601, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1784, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near retail

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

retail

1 of 4 verb
re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
: to sell in small amounts to people for their own use
retailer noun

retail

2 of 4 noun
: the sale of products or goods in small quantities to people for their own use

retail

3 of 4 adjective
: of, relating to, or engaged in selling by retail
retail stores

retail

4 of 4 adverb
: in small quantities : from a retailer

More from Merriam-Webster on retail

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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