bestseller

American  

[best-sel-er] / ˈbɛstˈsɛl ər /

Or best seller

noun

1. a book that is among those having the largest sales during a given period.

2. any product that among those of its kind is selling particularly well at a given time.

   This car was a bestseller last year.

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bestseller British  

/ ˌbɛstˈsɛlə /

noun

1. a book, record, CD, or other product that has sold in great numbers, esp over a short period

2. the author of one or more such books, etc

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Other Word Forms

• best-selling adjective
• bestsellerdom noun
• bestselling adjective

Etymology

Origin of bestseller

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; best + seller

Example Sentences

What we read is no longer driven by bookshops or bestseller charts alone, but by a constant stream of fast, highly personal recommendations.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

When Seen Aromi's memoir documenting the joys of singlehood hit the shelves in early 2024, it became an instant bestseller.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Cosby’s work has topped bestseller lists and been praised by former President Obama.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The company’s current bestseller, a three-ton, square-cut diamond known as the Cullinan, is a horror show aesthetically, yet totally on-brand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Just like Miss Stein told Miss Skeeter, this book ain’t gone be no bestseller and to keep our “expectations low.”

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett