mom-and-pop
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to a small retail business, usually owned and operated by members of a family.
a mom-and-pop grocery.
-
of or indicating something, as an enterprise, investment, or project, that is independent, small in scope, and modestly financed.
noun
plural
mom-and-popsEtymology
Origin of mom-and-pop
An Americanism dating back to 1950–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After that debacle, Mom and Pop would remain on the sidelines until after World War II, when the American economy boomed once more.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
The Lakers move now from a Mom and Pop operated organization to corporate, with TWG Global group.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2025
The French Quarter itself is really beautiful — coming and seeing the historic buildings, all the architecture and the little hole-in-the-wall Mom and Pop places that make New Orleans so special.
From Salon • Feb. 19, 2023
Soccer was that community ask at that time, showing up at a Mom and Pop rec team practices all over the region.
From Seattle Times • May 27, 2022
To this day I call them Mom and Pop and visit to bask in their love and enjoy the privilege of being treated as though I am their daughter.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
