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merchandise

[noun mur-chuh n-dahyz, -dahys; verb mur-chuh n-dahyz]
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), mer·chan·dised, mer·chan·dis·ing.
  1. to carry on trade.
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verb (used with object), mer·chan·dised, mer·chan·dis·ing.
  1. to buy and sell; deal in; trade.
  2. to plan for and promote the sales of.
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Origin of merchandise

1250–1300; Middle English marchandise < Old French. See merchant, -ice
Related formsmer·chan·dis·a·ble, adjectivemer·chan·dis·er, nounun·mer·chan·dised, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

product, material, stock, commodity, stuff, vend, wares, number, produce, truck, effects, line, staple, promote, wholesale, distribute, trade, advertise, retail

Examples from the Web for merchandises

Historical Examples

  • We searched the ship, and took some of her merchandises, and so let her go.

    Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the World

    Francis Pretty

  • Noblemen of this realm of old time, as also of late years, have dealt in merchandises.

  • That city is one of the best stored of silk and other merchandises that is in the world.

  • Thither merchants go to seek spices and all manner of merchandises, more commonly than in any other part.

  • Here he surprised a ship laden with plate, and other merchandises, outward bound, to buy cocoa-nuts.

British Dictionary definitions for merchandises

merchandise

noun (ˈmɜːtʃənˌdaɪs, -ˌdaɪz)
  1. commercial goods; commodities
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verb (ˈmɜːtʃənˌdaɪz)
  1. to engage in the commercial purchase and sale of (goods or services); trade
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Derived Formsmerchandiser, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French. See merchant
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for merchandises

merchandise

n.

mid-13c., "trading, commerce;" mid-14c., "commodities of commerce, wares, articles for sale or trade," from Anglo-French marchaundise, Old French marcheandise "goods, merchandise; trade, business" (12c.), from marchaunt "merchant" (see merchant).

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merchandise

v.

also merchandize, "to buy and sell; to market," late 14c.; see merchant + -ize. Meaning "promote the sale of goods" is from 1926. Related: Merchandising; merchandizing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper