convenience store

American  

noun

1. a retail store that carries a limited selection of basic items, as packaged foods and drugstore items, and is open long hours for the convenience of shoppers.

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convenience store British  

noun

1. a shop that has long opening hours, caters to local tastes, and is conveniently situated

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Etymology

Origin of convenience store

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The rise of the hideaway was well timed as consumers have been cutting back on snack purchases after filling up at the pump, hitting convenience store sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

A barrier was briefly erected outside a convenience store in 2024 to stop people from standing in the road to photograph a view of the snow-capped volcano that had gone viral.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Local convenience store chain CU launched its Dubai chewy rice cake in October, and has sold some 1.8 million pieces of it in the last few months.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

KABC-TV obtained video purportedly showing video of Nick Reiner at a convenience store in South L.A. shortly before he was arrested.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

I stop and look back, to make sure that the guy from the convenience store isn’t chasing us.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman