mom-and-pop

[mom-uhn-pop]

adjective

1. of or relating to a small retail business, usually owned and operated by members of a family.

   a mom-and-pop grocery.

2. of or indicating something, as an enterprise, investment, or project, that is independent, small in scope, and modestly financed.

noun

plural

mom-and-pops 

1. a small-scale, owner-operated business.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mom-and-pop¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Related Words

• corporation 
• factory 
• firm 
• house 
• institution 
• market 
• organization 
• partnership 
• shop 
• store 
• venture