commodity

[kuh-mod-i-tee]

noun

plural

commodities 

1. an article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service.

2. something of use, advantage, or value.

3. Stock Exchange.,  any unprocessed or partially processed good, as grain, fruits, and vegetables, or precious metals.

4. Obsolete.,  a quantity of goods.

commodity

/ kəˈmɒdɪtɪ /

noun

1. an article of commerce

2. something of use, advantage, or profit

3. economics an exchangeable unit of economic wealth, esp a primary product or raw material

4. obsolete

   1. a quantity of goods

   2. convenience or expediency

commodity

1. Any product manufactured or grown.

Other Word Forms

• noncommodity adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of commodity¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English commodite, from Anglo-French, from Latin commoditās “timeliness, convenience,” equivalent to commod(us) ( commode ) + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of commodity¹

C14: from Old French commodité, from Latin commoditās suitability, benefit; see _commodious

Example Sentences

China has turned to other sources, mainly in South America, for this commodity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The government then decided to tax exporters because they were benefiting from the lower peso and high commodity prices.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The auction house described it as a "cultural phenomenon" and an "incisive commentary on the collision of artistic production and commodity value".

Read more on BBC

But earnings are likely to be weaker this time around, given commodities prices, Morningstar analyst Allen Good said.

Read more on MarketWatch

This is a critical distinction, according to Ken Morrison, a commodities trader focused on China, as U.S. soybeans face a very narrow window of competitiveness before Brazil’s harvest floods the global market.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• asset 
• goods 
• material 
• produce 
• product 
• property 
• stock