black market

¹ American  

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.

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black-market ² American  

[blak-mahr-kit] / ˈblækˈmɑr kɪt /

verb (used without object)

1. to black-marketeer.

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verb (used with object)

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

black market British  

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

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verb

1. to sell (goods) on the black market

black market Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• black marketeer noun

Etymology

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

He also fears a new black market for fuel may emerge over the coming months - adding to worries about the rising prices of commodities.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

At around $2,000 on Iran's black market, the terminals are expensive and very rare in poorer regions like Balochistan or Kurdistan that have suffered the most government repression, Alimardani said.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

And despite sanctions, reports suggest it has been able to purchase some military equipment through the black market.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

"They get quite creative. It's a whole black market of spying and selling stolen data, buying and selling malware. We have to understand that ecosystem," he said.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

Maybe Miep will be able to scrounge up something on the black market.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank