merchandise

American  

[mur-chuhn-dahyz, -dahys, mur-chuhn-dahyz] / ˈmɜr tʃənˌdaɪz, -ˌdaɪs, ˈmɜr tʃənˌdaɪz /

Sometimes merchandize

noun

1. the manufactured goods bought and sold in any business.

2. the stock of goods in a store.

3. goods, especially manufactured goods; commodities.

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verb (used without object)

merchandised, merchandising

1. to carry on trade.

verb (used with object)

merchandised, merchandising

1. to buy and sell; deal in; trade.

2. to plan or manage the arrangement and promotion of (goods in a store).

   When you merchandise your products, promote impulse purchases by grouping like items.

merchandise British  

noun

1. commercial goods; commodities

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verb

1. to engage in the commercial purchase and sale of (goods or services); trade

Other Word Forms

• merchandisable
  adjective
• merchandiser
  noun
• unmerchandised
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of merchandise

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English marchandise, from Old French; see merchant, -ice

Explanation

The noun merchandise refers to things that can be bought or sold, like the merchandise that's for sale at your local record shop, or the merchandise sold by sidewalk vendors in a big city. When you go into a store, you're surrounded by merchandise, whether it's food, clothing, or books. Goods that can be bought or sold are merchandise, and so are items connected with a particular movie or music group — like the t-shirts you can buy at a rock concert's merchandise booth. Merchandise is also a verb, meaning "to promote or advertise" — "Retail stores merchandise goods using displays, signs, or mannequins."

Example Sentences

Walmart said that its sales gains in its U.S. business, its biggest sales unit, were driven by gains in its grocery business, as well as general merchandise, such as clothing and home goods.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

They’ve said the money will come from a mix of sources, including corporate sponsors, ticket sales, merchandise, the federal government and the International Olympic Committee.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

The company reiterated 2026 gross merchandise sales guidance of $9.9 billion to $10.1 billion, with analysts forecasting 44% upside.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

On Wednesday morning, the club launched a play-off final merchandise range on their website, though there was no promotion across social media.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

I wanted to plant myself in front of each plate glass window to study the displays of merchandise like other girls did.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• commodity
• material
• product
• stock
• stuff