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Synonyms

marketing

American  
[mahr-ki-ting] / ˈmɑr kɪ tɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of buying or selling in a market.

  2. the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling.


marketing British  
/ ˈmɑːkɪtɪŋ /

noun

  1. the provision of goods or services to meet customer or consumer needs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • intermarketing adjective
  • premarketing adjective

Etymology

Origin of marketing

First recorded in 1555–65; market + -ing 1

Explanation

Marketing is how you go about promoting and selling a product. Any ad campaign is a type of marketing. Marketing has to do with making people aware of what you have to offer, whether it's updated software, a clearance sale, or ice-cold lemonade. If a commercial really makes you want to buy something, the marketing worked. Politicians use marketing in their campaigns to convince voters. Marketing is all about selling — and given how many ads there are everywhere you look, it’s probably one of the most powerful forces in the world.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing marketing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The podcast’s name and marketing materials, the plaintiffs argue, will “cause individuals to be confused” and believe the podcast “comes from or is affiliated with or endorsed by the Church.”

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

She had delayed the sentencing hearing by a week to allow more people to share statements about the impact of Purdue’s marketing tactics on themselves or their families.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The cosmetics advertising industry can be a culprit for misleading claims, says aesthetics marketing expert Lianne Sykes, who advises firms on ethical advertising.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

“It’s basically a kickback,” said Sara Grillo, a New York City-based marketing consultant and chartered financial analyst.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

That’s a useful lesson for Coca-Cola or Nike, who have hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on marketing and can afford to saturate all forms of media with their message.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell