black market

¹

noun

1. the illicit buying and selling of goods in violation of legal price controls, rationing, etc.

2. a place where such activity is carried on.

black-market

²

[blak-mahr-kit]

verb (used without object)

1. to black-marketeer.

verb (used with object)

1. to sell (something) in the black market.

black market

noun

1. 1. any system in which goods or currencies are sold and bought illegally, esp in violation of controls or rationing

   2. ( as modifier )

      black market lamb

2. the place where such a system operates

verb

1. to sell (goods) on the black market

black market

1. The illegal buying and selling of goods above the price fixed by a government. Black markets usually develop when, because of war, disaster, or public policy, a government tries to set prices for commodities instead of allowing the normal operations of supply and demand to set prices.

Other Word Forms

• black marketeer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of black market¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Origin of black market²

First recorded in 1930–35; v. use of black market

Example Sentences

Fans suggested that, as the first leg had been won 4-1 by Chelsea, more tickets were available on the black market as interest was lower among home fans.

From BBC

Then there are concerns about a weight-loss drug black market, or unscrupulous dispensing.

From BBC

After the BBC exposed the industrial-scale black market in Premier League tickets last week, Brighton invited us along to demonstrate how widespread the problem is, and how they are trying to combat it.

From BBC

But more generally, many tickets that end up on the black market are acquired by touts using software bots and fake identities.

From BBC

But one animal advocacy organization argued this expanded ban could undermine reputable retailers and drive black market animal sales and trafficking.

From Los Angeles Times