merchandise

1 of 2

noun

mer·​chan·​dise ˈmər-chən-ˌdīz How to pronounce merchandise (audio)
-ˌdīs
1
: the commodities or goods that are bought and sold in business : wares
sells a variety of spring merchandise
2
archaic : the occupation of a merchant : trade

merchandise

2 of 2

verb

mer·​chan·​dise ˈmər-chən-ˌdīz How to pronounce merchandise (audio)
variants or less commonly merchandize
merchandised also merchandized; merchandising also merchandizing

transitive verb

1
: to buy and sell in business
carpets from Iran, India, or Taiwan are merchandised along with Italian leather goods and Spanish ceramicsIrving Kolodin
2
: to promote for or as if for sale
merchandise a movie star

intransitive verb

archaic : to carry on commerce : trade
merchandiser noun

Examples of merchandise in a Sentence

Noun The merchandise will arrive by truck at noon. He's developed his own brand of merchandise. Verb The political candidates are being merchandised to the public. the now-familiar practice of stores merchandising goods at dramatically lower prices on the day after Thanksgiving
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Sponsorship and air travel are the two biggest factors, but merchandise waste often passes unseen as a hefty contributor. Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 The event will feature new and returning limited-time entertainment, festive decor, specialty food and drink, collectible merchandise, and more. Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Red Room establishes an impressive, grand introduction to the store, and is gracefully merchandised with footwear on exquisite circular onyx tables. David Moin, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025 More than a decade since its debut, the show continues to be shaped by merchandising opportunities. Alana Semuels, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for merchandise

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English marchaundise, from Anglo-French marchandise, from marcheant

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of merchandise was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Merchandise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merchandise. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

merchandise

1 of 2 noun
mer·​chan·​dise ˈmər-chən-ˌdīz How to pronounce merchandise (audio)
-ˌdīs
: the goods that are bought and sold in trade

merchandise

2 of 2 verb
ˈmər-chən-ˌdīz
merchandised; merchandising
: to buy and sell : trade
especially : to try to improve sales of goods or services by attractive presentation and publicity
merchandiser noun

More from Merriam-Webster on merchandise

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