pawnbroker

[ pawn-broh-ker ]

noun

1. a person whose business is lending money at interest on personal, movable property deposited with the lender until redeemed.

pawnbroker

/ ˈpɔːnˌbrəʊkə /

noun

1. a dealer licensed to lend money at a specified rate of interest on the security of movable personal property, which can be sold if the loan is not repaid within a specified period

Derived Forms

• ˈpawnˌbroking, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pawnbroker¹

First recorded in 1680–90; pawn ¹ + broker

Example Sentences

If people had more money in their pockets, if the capitalist system worked better, then they wouldn’t need pawnbrokers as much in the first place.

From Vox

Gun sales have been through the roof in 2020, and some of the pawnbrokers I spoke to said they’ve truly never seen such a sustained boom in gun and ammunition sales as they have now, especially among first-time buyers.

From Vox

Pawnbrokers say that’s started to show up in their business now, too, as customers old and new are again in need of their services.

From Vox

People can sell their items to pawnbrokers directly as well, but that’s generally not the business model and not what most people do.

From Vox

The business of a pawnbroker is legally regulated by statute, and the states usually require him to get a license.

From Project Gutenberg

There was another booth of rather a singular kind—a temporary pawnbroker's, and who appeared to have a good brisk trade.

From Project Gutenberg

And here it was among razors and pistols and family Bibles in a pawnbroker's window.

From Project Gutenberg

I come hup jest when the perleeceman and the pawnbroker were a-gripping yer.

From Project Gutenberg

The pawnbroker looked from money to jewels and from jewels to money with an expression of curiously mingled grief and greed.

From Project Gutenberg