brick-and-mortar

American  

[brik-uhn-mawr-ter] / ˈbrɪk ənˈmɔr tər /

Also bricks-and-mortar

adjective

1. pertaining to conventional stores, businesses, etc., having physical buildings and facilities, as opposed to internet or remote services.

2. made of bricks and mortar.

---

Etymology

Origin of brick-and-mortar

First recorded in 1860–65 brick-and-mortar for def. 2; brick-and-mortar def. 1 in 1985–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

brick-and-mortar

I’d adapted when the Covid-19 pandemic closed our brick-and-mortar building and gave middle managers and commercial consultants more authority.

From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026

He cited Bathhouse and Othership, but those hip wellness places are brick-and-mortar establishments, not pop-up events.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

But in a world where online retailers are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, brick-and-mortar merchants can find themselves at a distinct disadvantage if they aren’t able to sell on Sundays.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Even when shoppers do frequent brick-and-mortar shops, their online equivalents still inform purchase decisions.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

There was nothing left but a charred brick-and-mortar shell, roof gone and gutted from the inside.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah