dealership
Americannoun
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authorization to sell a commodity.
He got the dealership for the area after a long investigation into his credit status.
-
a sales agency or distributor having such authorization.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of dealership
Explanation
A store that has approval to sell a specific brand of goods is a dealership. If you have your heart set on buying a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle, you might want to visit a dealership for a test ride. A business is considered a dealership if its owner is authorized to sell a certain item (in other words, they're a dealer of that product). It's most common to talk about car dealerships, whether the cars they sell are new or used, but there are also boat dealerships and recreational vehicle dealerships. This word dates from about 1916, when it was defined as "the business of an authorized trader."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
José was a pillar of his community; he rose from washing cars to owning his own car dealership, alongside other businesses in Bakersfield.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026
The Tempe, Ariz.-based company this week revealed its concept for a new-car dealership designed for smartphone-based shopping rather than paperwork and interactions with salespeople.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026
The dealer, Quakertown Mitsubishi in Quakertown, Pa., did offer a $2,000 discount if the buyer financed through the dealership.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
The helicopters collided in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a western suburb of Rio de Janeiro, then plummeted into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, setting ablaze around 20 cars, firefighters said.
From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026
The parking lot of their school looks like a luxury car dealership, stuffed with BMWs, a few Porsches and Jaguars thrown in.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
