retail

American  

[ree-teyl, ri-teyl] / ˈri teɪl, rɪˈteɪl /

noun

1. the sale of goods to ultimate consumers, usually in small quantities (wholesale ).

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adjective

1. pertaining to, connected with, or engaged in sale at retail.

   the retail price.

adverb

1. in a retail quantity or at a retail price.

verb (used with object)

1. to sell at retail; sell directly to the consumer.

2. to relate or repeat in detail to others.

   to retail scandal.

verb (used without object)

1. to be sold at retail.

   It retails at 50 cents.

retail British  

/ ˈriːteɪl /

noun

1. the sale of goods individually or in small quantities to consumers Compare wholesale

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in such selling

   retail prices

adverb

1. in small amounts or at a retail price

verb

1. to sell or be sold in small quantities to consumers

2. (tr) to relate (gossip, scandal, etc) in detail, esp persistently

retail Cultural  

1. A term describing businesses that sell goods directly to individuals. (Compare wholesale.)

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Usage

What does retail mean? Retail is the sale of goods to the person who will actually use the goods. It is often used to describe the consumer goods industry, as in Jade worked in retail over the summer break to earn money for school.Retail is also used to describe something related to sales at retail, as in While the wholesale price is low, the retail price is much higher because the store’s rent is also very high.To retail is to sell directly to the consumer or to be sold at retail.Example: The retail store down the road has a sale on all sorts of good stuff today.

Other Word Forms

• nonretail adjective
• nonretailer noun
• retailer noun

Etymology

Origin of retail

First recorded in 1375–1425; (for the noun) late Middle English, from Anglo-French: “a cut,” derivative of retailler “to cut,” from re- re- + tailler “to cut” ( tail ² ); (for the verb) Middle English retailen, from Old French retailler

Example Sentences

Just before 19:00 BST on Monday, East Midlands Ambulance Service were called to a report of an unconscious man in Beaumont Leys Park, close to a retail area.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

It added: "We have campaigned for some time for more to be done to protect shop workers from offenders, including retail crime being made into a specific stand alone offence."

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Together, these leading retail, hotel, meat-processing and food-service companies employ about 6.7 million Americans — one in every 25 U.S. workers.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

The average U.S. retail gas price rose to $4.119 per gallon; Trump has previously shown flexibility with deadlines.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

It’s estimated that South Korean businesses control between sixty and eighty percent of that market, including distribution, retail, and, increasingly, manufacturing.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Related Words

• peddle