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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President Harley Finkelstein called the report “the perfect example” of Shopify’s ability to deliver on what merchants need today while investing in agentic commerce and other technologies of the future.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
Under Spanish colonial rule in the 16th century, Zana -- home to around 4,000 souls -- was a wealthy center of commerce dotted with grandiose churches.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
They establish the city as a bustling center of commerce.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026
India's merchandise exports to the US was $50.81bn between April and September, up 11.1% from the previous year, according to India's ministry of commerce.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
In short order, telegrams began to rattle out of Dix’s office to the chambers of commerce of every city, town, and hamlet in the state.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
The British Chamber of Commerce released a new analysis of its members' views on Monday suggesting options for a closer relationship.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
The U.S. economy expanded at its fastest clip in over five years during the third quarter, according to the Commerce Department’s initial reading on GDP.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
The U.S. economy expanded at its fastest clip in more than five years during the third quarter, according to the Commerce Department’s initial reading on third-quarter gross domestic product.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
Mark Casci, head of policy and representation at West Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the city was the "perfect location" for the college.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
In July, Clement had presented the Durham Chamber of Commerce with a list of eighty-eight demands, covering nearly every area that concerned the city’s black population—including the formation of a Human Relations Commission.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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