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.

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Etymology

Origin of purchasing power

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

purchasing power

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

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

The surge in crude prices has lifted gasoline and diesel prices, adding to inflationary pressure from higher energy costs and threatening to reduce the purchasing power of consumers.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

Consider extreme poverty, long defined as living on less than $1 a day, adjusted for inflation and purchasing power.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 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

Their increased purchasing power afforded them summer vacations to the beach or the mountains.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson