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

Gross merchandise volume, which measures the total monetary value of all completed purchases over its network, rose 33% to $33.69 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 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

They bustle through the doors after the long journey, sometimes bedecked in Route 66 merchandise, and sometimes buying Mel’s own brand of Route 66 merch while there.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

James and I followed Anna May, passing case after case of merchandise until we were near the rear of the first floor.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• commodity
• material
• product
• stock
• stuff