commodity

[kuh-mod-i-tee]

noun

plural

commodities 

1. an article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service.

2. something of use, advantage, or value.

3. Stock Exchange.,  any unprocessed or partially processed good, as grain, fruits, and vegetables, or precious metals.

4. Obsolete.,  a quantity of goods.

commodity

/ kəˈmɒdɪtɪ /

noun

1. an article of commerce

2. something of use, advantage, or profit

3. economics an exchangeable unit of economic wealth, esp a primary product or raw material

4. obsolete

   1. a quantity of goods

   2. convenience or expediency

commodity

1. Any product manufactured or grown.

Other Word Forms

• noncommodity adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of commodity¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English commodite, from Anglo-French, from Latin commoditās “timeliness, convenience,” equivalent to commod(us) ( commode ) + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of commodity¹

C14: from Old French commodité, from Latin commoditās suitability, benefit; see _commodious

Example Sentences

Zelensky on Thursday said that Kyiv’s strikes may have reduced Russia’s gasoline supplies by up to a fifth, crippling its ability to export one of its primary commodities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the new commodities bull cycle, aluminum could be the next hot material.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If inflation is the concern, investors can consider buying real assets, such as real estate and commodities.

Read more on Barron's

In an inflationary environment, risk assets such as equities, and hard assets such as diversified real estate and diversified commodities, have historically been good hedges.

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“Historically, when there is a selloff in equities, you can see a positive move in gold and vice versa,” said Chris Louney, commodities strategist at RBC Capital Markets.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• asset 
• goods 
• material 
• produce 
• product 
• property 
• stock