broker

American  

[broh-ker] / ˈbroʊ kər /

noun

1. an agent who buys or sells for a principal on a commission basis without having title to the property.

2. a person who functions as an intermediary between two or more parties in negotiating agreements, bargains, or the like.

3. stockbroker.

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verb (used with object)

1. to act as a broker for.

   to broker the sale of a house.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a broker.

broker British  

/ ˈbrəʊkə /

noun

1. an agent who, acting on behalf of a principal, buys or sells goods, securities, etc, in return for a commission

   insurance broker

2. (formerly) short for stockbroker

3. a dealer in second-hand goods

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verb

1. to act as a broker (in)

broker Cultural  

1. A financial agent or intermediary; a middleman.

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Other Word Forms

• brokership noun
• subbroker noun

Etymology

Origin of broker

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English broco(u)r, from Anglo-French abrocour, broco(u)r “middleman, wine merchant”; compare Old Provençal abrocador, perhaps based on Spanish alboroque “gift or drink concluding a transaction” (from Arabic al-burūk “the gift, gratuity”), with -ador, from Latin -ātor -ator; alternatively, from Old French brocheor, brokeor “wine merchant,” derivative of broche ( broach ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

One reason: Even Amazon’s AI systems for detecting fake reviews—and the actions it takes against fake review brokers—can’t stop the way honest but biased humans are reviewing items.

From The Wall Street Journal

He worked as a lawyer and customs broker before being elected to the Texas House, where he burnished his bipartisan credentials.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mei, a 71-year-old licensed acupuncturist who asked to not use her full name out of embarrassment, said a broker introduced her to the GPB investment funds at a lunch meeting targeting divorced women.

From Los Angeles Times

Or any retiree could get one of these through an insurance broker or directly from an insurance company, at any time.

From MarketWatch

“The company stated that it had started the 2026 financial year with ‘strong’ momentum as opposed to the November characterization of ‘good’ momentum,” says the broker.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• agent
• dealer
• entrepreneur
• financier
• intermediary
• mediator
• merchant
• stockbroker