commodity

American  

[kuh-mod-i-tee] / kəˈmɒd ɪ ti /

noun

commodities plural

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.

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commodity British  

/ 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

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commodity Cultural  

1. Any product manufactured or grown.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncommodity
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• commodities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of commodity

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

Explanation

A commodity is any useful or valuable thing, especially something that is bought and sold. Grain, coffee, and precious metals are all commodities. The word commodity is usually used in an economic context, as in importing commodities from other countries or trading in the stocks and commodities markets. You probably wouldn't say something like "I'm going to run to the corner store to pick up some commodities." This word can also be used figuratively to refer to anything valuable, like trust or patience. Some people think that honesty is a rare commodity in politics.

Example Sentences

Many officials thought elevated commodity prices and supply disruptions could persist longer than anticipated.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 8, 2026

An established distribution infrastructure, which includes fuel-tanker trucks, reduces reinvestment needs, while a volume-based flat fee added to fuel prices makes DCC’s margins less sensitive to fluctuations in commodity markets, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

The use of more aluminum is an example of how high commodity prices lead engineers to seek alternatives, thereby lowering demand for the high-priced commodity.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

“But this is temporary, in our view, as real commodity cycles don’t end until the tsunami of supply finally comes online to meet the growth in demand,” says Jefferies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

The ice, a commodity unavailable at the motel, is for iced tea, which I brew by letting tea bags soak in a plastic cup of water overnight.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

Related Words

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