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

Inside the convenience store, patrons chatted cheerfully as they waited for the shrimp fried rice and fish strips that make Food N’ Geaux a neighborhood staple.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Many visitors post online about their trip -- making pilgrimages to real-life locations from cartoons or joking about spending $1,000 on flights just so they can eat a $1 convenience store rice ball.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 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

June and Maggie want two of those convenience store cinnamon buns.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy