black-market

1 of 2

verb

black-mar·​ket ˈblak-ˈmär-kət 

black-marketed; black-marketing; black-markets

intransitive verb

: to buy or sell goods in the black market

transitive verb

: to sell in the black market

black marketer noun

or black marketeer

ˈblak-ˌmär-kə-ˈtir 

black marketeering

ˈblak-ˌmär-kə-ˈtir-iŋ 

noun

black market

2 of 2

noun

: illicit trade in goods or commodities in violation of official regulations

also : a place where such trade is carried on

Examples of black-market in a Sentence

Noun

The black market in prescription drugs is thriving.

They unloaded the stolen goods on the black market.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Following Demi Moore as Elisabeth, The Substance watches this fading celebrity take advantage of a newfound black-market drug which replicates cells that temporarily create a younger version of the user. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

The Substance, also starring Demi Moore and Dennis Quaid, follows a fading celebrity who takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. —Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Jan. 2025

Noun

These animals are killed for their parts — their horns and tusks and claws and bones — which are then sold on the global black market. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 29 Jan. 2025

Professional, organized thieves swooping into stores in groups to steal high-demand items to sell on the black market. —Cailey Locklair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1727, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

black market

noun

: trade that is against government controls (as of prices or rationing)

also : the place where such trade is carried on

black marketer

-ˈmär-kət-ər

noun

or black marketeer

-ˌmär-kə-ˈti(ə)r