dealership

American  

[dee-ler-ship] / ˈdi lərˌʃɪp /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of dealership

First recorded in 1915–20; dealer + -ship

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

A driver behind the wheel of a Corvette veered off the 60 Freeway on Wednesday morning and crashed into a car dealership in City of Industry and it was all caught on video.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Mae Anne Clarisse Bacquiano, manager of a BYD showroom in the suburbs of Manila, said foot traffic at the dealership was "at another level".

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Around the end of the 1930s, Randy Bierlein’s grandfather first started selling Chrysler vehicles out of his family’s dealership in northern Michigan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

This can involve commercials for local businesses — like a car dealership paying a quarterback or providing a car — or generating income through social media based on follower size.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

In a small garage on the dealership property, the detailers used little blue rags to make spotless the used or new cars and ready them for sale.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel