merchandise

[noun mur-chuh n-dahyz, -dahys; verb mur-chuh n-dahyz]

noun

the manufactured goods bought and sold in any business.
the stock of goods in a store.
goods, especially manufactured goods; commodities.

verb (used without object), mer·chan·dised, mer·chan·dis·ing.

to carry on trade.

verb (used with object), mer·chan·dised, mer·chan·dis·ing.

to buy and sell; deal in; trade.
to plan for and promote the sales of.

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 for merchandises

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 of merchandises

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.
The Survey of London
John Stow
That city is one of the best stored of silk and other merchandises that is in the world.
The Travels of Sir John Mandeville
John Mandeville
Thither merchants go to seek spices and all manner of merchandises, more commonly than in any other part.
Early Travels in Palestine
Arculf et al.
Here he surprised a ship laden with plate, and other merchandises, outward bound, to buy cocoa-nuts.
Great Pirate Stories
Various

British Dictionary definitions for merchandises

merchandise

noun (ˈmɜːtʃənˌdaɪs, -ˌdaɪz)

commercial goods; commodities

verb (ˈmɜːtʃənˌdaɪz)

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

Derived Formsmerchandiser, noun

Word Origin for merchandise

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

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).

merchandise

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.