black-market

[blak-mahr-kit]

See more synonyms for black-market on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to black-marketeer.

verb (used with object)

to sell (something) in the black market.

Origin of black-market

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

black market

noun

the illicit buying and selling of goods in violation of legal price controls, rationing, etc.
a place where such activity is carried on.

Origin of black market

First recorded in 1930–35

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for black-market

contraband, illicit, unauthorized, pirated, banned, prohibited, unwarranted, wrongful, irregular, unconstitutional, unlawful, outlawed, illegitimate, criminal, unlicensed, illegal, bootleg, improper, clandestine, furtive

Examples from the Web for black-market

Contemporary Examples of black-market

On the street level, black-market banks in China never advertise their enterprise.
Inside China's Underground Black Market Banks
Brendon Hong
February 26, 2014
The black-market channels which ferry ivory from poachers are often the same used for illegal arms, drugs, and trafficked labor.
Clinton Unites African Leaders in Her Crusade Against Poaching
Nina Strochlic
September 26, 2013
Would he mind, she wondered, carrying the package of black-market tea that she was bringing her mother?
World War II’s Most Glamorous Spy: Christine Granville
Emma Garman
July 7, 2013
On the black-market, Iranian moneylenders peg the real exchange rate far higher, at more than 35,000 rials per dollar.
Sanctions Are Causing Inflation in Iran and Harming Its Economy
Alex Klein
October 23, 2012
Siddiqui is suspected of dealing with $19 million worth of black-market diamonds to pay for al Qaeda attacks.
Judging 'JihadJane'
Richard Miniter
March 17, 2010

British Dictionary definitions for black-market

black market

noun

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
the place where such a system operates

verb black-market

to sell (goods) on the black market

Derived Formsblack marketeer, noun

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

Word Origin and History for black-market

black market

1931, from black + market.

black-market in Culture

black market

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.