purchasing power

American  

noun

1. Also called buying power.  the ability to purchase goods and services.

2. the value of money in terms of what it can buy at a specified time compared to what it could buy at some period established as a base.

   the purchasing power of the dollar.

---

Etymology

Origin of purchasing power

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

purchasing power

When they rise substantially, it means money is genuinely becoming more expensive to borrow for U.S. consumers and businesses in terms of actual purchasing power.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

Job losses and falling purchasing power have added to industry's woes by depressing consumer spending.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

Shein previously told the BBC that the impact of legislation targeting ultra-fast fashion would "worsen the purchasing power of French consumers, at a time when they are already feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis".

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Meanwhile, elevated inflation continues to threaten household purchasing power.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

All of my research on Muslim purchasing power indicated that if we created a product that appealed to and satisfied the needs of Muslim consumers, the company would be successful.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad