broker

[broh-ker]

noun

1. an agent who buys or sells for a principal on a commission basis without having title to the property.

2. a person who functions as an intermediary between two or more parties in negotiating agreements, bargains, or the like.

3. stockbroker.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as a broker for.

   to broker the sale of a house.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a broker.

broker

/ ˈbrəʊkə /

noun

1. an agent who, acting on behalf of a principal, buys or sells goods, securities, etc, in return for a commission

   insurance broker

2. (formerly) short for stockbroker

3. a dealer in second-hand goods

verb

1. to act as a broker (in)

broker

1. A financial agent or intermediary; a middleman.

Other Word Forms

• brokership noun
• subbroker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of broker¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English broco(u)r, from Anglo-French abrocour, broco(u)r “middleman, wine merchant”; compare Old Provençal abrocador, perhaps based on Spanish alboroque “gift or drink concluding a transaction” (from Arabic al-burūk “the gift, gratuity”), with -ador, from Latin -ātor -ator; alternatively, from Old French brocheor, brokeor “wine merchant,” derivative of broche ( broach ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of broker¹

C14: from Anglo-French brocour broacher (of casks, hence, one who sells, agent), from Old Northern French broquier to tap a cask, from broque tap of a cask; see _broach ¹

Example Sentences

Fresh off brokering the Gaza cease-fire, U.S. officials expressed optimism that the momentum of one peace agreement could pave the way for another.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Only under duress and in a closed-door meeting with New York power brokers did Mr. Mamdani say that he would “discourage” use of the phrase.

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Constellation acts as a broker between those two parties and takes a small cut.

Read more on Barron's

The flare-up in the trade war brings to an end months of relative calm after top US and Chinese officials brokered a truce in May.

Read more on BBC

Some customs brokers said the plunging values were likely due to data-entry errors, not tariff dodging.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• agent 
• dealer 
• entrepreneur 
• financier 
• intermediary 
• mediator 
• merchant 
• stockbroker