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

Last year, BBC Sport conducted an investigation exposing an enormous black market for tickets in the Premier League.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The liquor policy which led to the arrests of AAP leaders was introduced by the Kejriwal government in 2021, saying it would curb black market sales, increase revenues and ensure even distribution of liquor licences.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

The 35,000-capacity R.Premadasa Stadium was sold out for the clash, with tickets going for more than four times face value on the black market.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

Although Starlink isn’t activated in Russia, a black market for user terminals sprung up with middlemen shipping them to Russian forces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

Papa had taken some of his cash and bought a bag of rice at the black market in Hiroshima.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata