durable goods

American  

plural noun

1. goods, as household appliances, machinery, or sports equipment, that are not consumed or destroyed in use and can be used for a period of time, usually three or more years.

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durable goods British  

plural noun

1. Also called: durables.  goods, such as most producer goods and some consumer goods, that require infrequent replacement. Compare disposable goods , perishables

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durable goods Cultural  

1. Manufactured products capable of long utility, such as refrigerators and automobiles.

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Etymology

Origin of durable goods

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Typically, spending on expensive durable goods — new cars, appliances, laptops and the like — declines when households feel financial stress.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

The same day, the Census Bureau will release the durable goods report as well as new-home sales data.

From Barron's • May 24, 2026

Alongside the PCE data on Thursday will be the second estimate of first-quarter U.S. gross domestic product, durable goods orders for April, new homes sales for April, and weekly jobless claims.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

For example: April spending on durable goods by high-income households was higher year over year, but negative for low- and middle-income households, according to Bank of America data.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Continued control of consumer credit will help to reduce the pressure on prices of durable goods and will also prolong the period during which the backlog demand will be effective.

From State of the Union Address by Truman, Harry S.

Related Words

• consumer durables
• consumer goods