an interchange of goods or commodities, especially on a large scale between different countries foreign commerce or between different parts of the same country domestic commerce; trade; business.
social relations, especially the exchange of views, attitudes, etc.
sexual intercourse.
intellectual or spiritual interchange; communion.
Also called Commerce Department. (initial capital letter) the Department of Commerce.
the activity embracing all forms of the purchase and sale of goods and services
social relations and exchange, esp of opinions, attitudes, etc
What does commerce mean? Commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and products, especially on a large scale, as in New York City is a major center of commerce where billions of dollars are exchanged every day. The word commerce is almost always used to refer to business, trade, and the movement of things that are being bought and sold. Commerce can refer to either the exchange of goods between countries (international or foreign commerce) or the exchange that occurs within one country (domestic commerce). Much less frequently, commerce is used to mean an exchanging of ideas or views as part of social interaction, as in The club promoted intellectual commerce among the students. Commerce is similar to the word trade and the two words can generally be used as synonyms. Trade describes a more general exchange of goods and money, while commerce describes large-scale trading, such as at an interstate or international level, which requires large numbers of trucks, planes, and other delivery methods. Example: After the war, the small country experienced an increase in commerce with neighboring countries because transporting products was safe again.
See trade.
First recorded in 1530–40; from Middle French, from Latin commercium, from commerc(ārī) “to trade together” (from com- com- + mercārī “to buy, deal, trade,” verb derivative of merc-, stem of merx “commodity, goods, merchandise”) + -ium -ium
Commerce is the exchange of goods and services. It's business. Competition between cities wanting to host the Olympics is fierce because the games increase tourism and commerce. Commerce made its way into English from the Latin word commercium — com-, meaning "together," and -mercium, meaning "merchandise." Business, trade, and retailing are all common synonyms. Commerce doesn't always refer to buying and selling, though, just as the marketplace doesn't always refer to goods and services. Data, information, and opinions, too, can be exchanged and traded, as on the Internet, which is a great place for the commerce of ideas.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The United States is using its lawful authority to obtain the elimination of unreasonable acts, policies, and practices that burden US commerce," said Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson, in a statement.
From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026
At least 43 migrants died in the chaos, and daily life and commerce in the city of Ceuta shut down as disorder reined.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Miebach further touted the potential of agentic commerce and Mastercard’s place in the future of this trend.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026
The city had no known palaces where a ruler or ruling class could have controlled these tools of commerce and administration.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026
It would be naive to suppose that people abuse information only when they are acting as experts or as agents of commerce.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
Alexandra Lozano, who was licensed to practice law in Washington state and had an office in Commerce, surrendered her bar license and closed her law firm in June.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
The Commerce Department said Thursday U.S. gross domestic product—the value of all goods and services produced across the economy, adjusted for inflation and seasonal changes—rose at a 1.5% annual rate in the second quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
The Commerce Department said the US economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the second quarter, down from 2.1% seen in the first three months of the year.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is involved in deciding who will get the power, some of the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
“You see what being named Chamber of Commerce Businessman of 1967 can do for you?”
From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
