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Pop Culture dictionary results for wet market

wet market

American  

[wet mahr-kit] / ˈwɛt ˈmɑr kɪt /

noun

1. (especially in China and Southeast Asia) a usually open-air market selling perishable food, as meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit, and often live animals slaughtered on-site.

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Etymology

Origin of wet market

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Officials in Beijing have repeatedly denied accusations that the Covid-19 pandemic originated through animal-to-human transmission at a wet market in Wuhan, where wildlife was also being sold.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

Restaurant worker Dong went to a wet market in central Beijing around lunchtime on Thursday, but did not buy anything.

From Reuters • Aug. 10, 2023

It wasn't initially clear that raccoon dogs were even at the wet market in Wuhan until later evidence emerged in 2020 revealing the animals were illegally kept at the marketplace.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2023

The other major competing explanation is that the virus emerged from exposure to an animal, likely at a Chinese wet market.

From Washington Times • Mar. 8, 2023

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the Supreme Court challenge to loan forgiveness; lab leak v. wet market Covid politics; and the future of humanities education–with John Plotz.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2023