white goods

American  

plural noun

1. household goods, as bed sheets, tablecloths, and towels, formerly bleached and finished in white but now often patterned and colored.

2. bleached goods, especially cotton or linen fabrics.

3. large household appliances, as refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines.

4. alcoholic liquors that are manufactured without color, as vodka, gin, and tequila.

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white goods British  

plural noun

1. marketing large household appliances, such as refrigerators, cookers Compare brown goods

2. household linen such as sheets, towels, tablecloths, etc

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Etymology

Origin of white goods

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Suppliers say they may write off some of that debt, provide payment plans, or help with the cost of white goods - but only if you tell them you're in trouble.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Lastly, durable goods, including cars, electrical appliances, white goods and furniture, have a lead time of about 3.5 quarters.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

Retail sales depend to a large degree on trade-in subsidies for items ranging from white goods to mobile phones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

Appliance makers focusing on compact, multifunctional devices report stronger order books than producers of large-format white goods.

From Barron's • Dec. 27, 2025

"I don't think it was planned that way," Abel said simply; "she's only buying white goods," he repeated.

From Christmas A Story by Solon, Leon V. (Leon Victor)