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

"That doesn't sound that much to us, but in terms of its purchasing power, this is massive," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

Historically, the federal government didn’t negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, in contrast to other countries that have leveraged the purchasing power of their government-backed healthcare programs.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

They aren’t yet a complete solution if you want to protect your purchasing power for, say, the next 30 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

If inflation averages 2% to 3% a year, your purchasing power erodes over time.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

“Mass purchasing power makes the big difference. For example, breaded veal cutlets.”

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller