merchandise

American  

[mur-chuhn-dahyz, -dahys, mur-chuhn-dahyz] / ˈmɜr tʃənˌdaɪz, -ˌdaɪs, ˈmɜr tʃənˌdaɪz /

Sometimes merchandize

noun

1. the manufactured goods bought and sold in any business.

2. the stock of goods in a store.

3. goods, especially manufactured goods; commodities.

---

verb (used without object)

merchandised, merchandising

1. to carry on trade.

verb (used with object)

merchandised, merchandising

1. to buy and sell; deal in; trade.

2. to plan or manage the arrangement and promotion of (goods in a store).

   When you merchandise your products, promote impulse purchases by grouping like items.

merchandise British  

noun

1. commercial goods; commodities

---

verb

1. to engage in the commercial purchase and sale of (goods or services); trade

Other Word Forms

• merchandisable
  adjective
• merchandiser
  noun
• unmerchandised
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of merchandise

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English marchandise, from Old French; see merchant, -ice

Explanation

The noun merchandise refers to things that can be bought or sold, like the merchandise that's for sale at your local record shop, or the merchandise sold by sidewalk vendors in a big city. When you go into a store, you're surrounded by merchandise, whether it's food, clothing, or books. Goods that can be bought or sold are merchandise, and so are items connected with a particular movie or music group — like the t-shirts you can buy at a rock concert's merchandise booth. Merchandise is also a verb, meaning "to promote or advertise" — "Retail stores merchandise goods using displays, signs, or mannequins."

Example Sentences

The company also cleared $100.7 billion in gross merchandise value, up from $74.8 billion last year.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

When some of the store’s early merchandise fell flat with San Francisco’s younger shoppers, Doris stepped in and began choosing which Levi’s styles to carry, including hip huggers and bell bottoms.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

A monthslong investigation into a suspected retail fraud operation has led to the arrest of two Glendale residents accused of orchestrating a scheme involving counterfeit returns of high-end merchandise, authorities said Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

This could include having linked social accounts on their artist profile, consistent listener activity or other "signals of a real artist behind the profile," the company said, such as merchandise or concert dates.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Not pure merchandise as formerly but livestock: bred, neutered.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Related Words

• commodity
• material
• product
• stock
• stuff