dealership
Americannoun
-
dealerships
plural
-
authorization to sell a commodity.
He got the dealership for the area after a long investigation into his credit status.
-
a sales agency or distributor having such authorization.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of dealership
Explanation
A store that has approval to sell a specific brand of goods is a dealership. If you have your heart set on buying a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle, you might want to visit a dealership for a test ride. A business is considered a dealership if its owner is authorized to sell a certain item (in other words, they're a dealer of that product). It's most common to talk about car dealerships, whether the cars they sell are new or used, but there are also boat dealerships and recreational vehicle dealerships. This word dates from about 1916, when it was defined as "the business of an authorized trader."
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.
See Examples For:
A model that’s sold out at one dealership could be available somewhere else, so he recommends looking in different locations as well as online.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026
On weekdays, Carvalho works at an Audi dealership from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., attends classes from 6 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. and then does homework until around 11 p.m.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
His movement was like a balloon man in front of a car dealership and when I look back at the moves, it’s pretty hard to watch, but I guess it was funny at the time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
A short drive from Walton, Roy Pearman is reaping the fruits of PIP at the car dealership where he works.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
“Thet’s right, Hoyt! I got the Pierce dealership, and we go’n sell Caddy-lacs, too. Folks, a new day’s a-dawnin’ for Cold Sassy!”—BAM—“We go’n put ever man in town behind a dang artermobile wheel!”
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
For this reason, she recommends all used EV shoppers request a battery “State of Health” report, which is easiest to get when buying pre-owned directly from brand dealerships.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
“San Clemente doesn’t have car dealerships and Costcos and big hotels — all the nice revenue-generating entities that other cities have,” Mayor Rick Loeffler said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
As a result, the carmaker is set to significantly reduce its dealerships in the country from more than 150 to nearer 80 by the end of 2026.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Those shops, including chains and mom-and-pop mechanics, are peeling ever more business away from dealerships, known for higher rates, opaque pricing and multiday waits for routine service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
The last bus lets us off on a commercial strip peppered with car dealerships.
From "The Fourteenth Goldfish" by Jennifer L. Holm
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
