dealership

[dee-ler-ship]

noun

1. authorization to sell a commodity.

   He got the dealership for the area after a long investigation into his credit status.

2. a sales agency or distributor having such authorization.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dealership¹

First recorded in 1915–20; dealer + -ship

Example Sentences

Jeff Siegrist was a student at the University of Tennessee when he first set eyes on her at a Knoxville dealership.

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Under the program, buyers can select a vehicle and complete loan paperwork on Amazon’s website, after which they pick up their car or truck at a physical dealership.

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Concerns over private credit have been simmering in the latter part of 2025, following the collapses of U.S. auto-parts supplier First Brands and car dealership Tricolor.

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“While retail sales remain challenged, I’m truly energized by what I’ve experienced across the Company, in dealerships, and with the broader rider community,” added Starrs, who started his CEO role in October External link.

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The average transaction price for an electric vehicle in the U.S. was $65,021 in October, according to preliminary data from Edmunds tracking dealership transactions.

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