stock market

American  

[stok mahr-kit] / ˈstɒk ˌmɑr kɪt /

noun

1. a particular market where stocks and bonds are traded; stock exchange.

2. the market for stocks throughout a nation.

   The stock market reacted strongly to the president's speech.

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stock market British  

noun

1. another name for stock exchange

2. the usual US name for stock exchange

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stock market Cultural  

1. A market in which stocks are bought and sold (see stock exchange). Also, the general condition of the sale of securities in a corporation.

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Etymology

Origin of stock market

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Past installments have seen the hippos found a power company, join the space race and tank the stock market.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

“The stock market has…gone down a little bit. Much less than I thought. Frankly, the gas hasn’t gone up as much as I thought.”

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

The recovery in the U.S. stock market since the beginning of April could soon face its first critical test, as the first-quarter corporate earnings season is about to get underway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

This week: Retail investors usually stick to the stock market, but many are rushing to make bets on oil futures.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026

U.S. stock market guys made decisions within the U.S. stock market; Japanese bond market guys made decisions within the Japanese bond market; and so on.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• stock exchange