wholesale

American  

[hohl-seyl] / ˈhoʊlˌseɪl /

noun

1. the sale of goods in quantity, as to retailers or jobbers, for resale (retail ).

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in sale by wholesale.

2. extensive; broadly indiscriminate.

   wholesale discharge of workers.

   Synonyms:

   promiscuous, undiscriminating, inclusive, thorough, comprehensive, far-reaching

adverb

1. in a wholesale way; on wholesale terms.

   I can get it for you wholesale.

2. in large quantities; on a large scale, especially without discrimination.

   Wild horses were slaughtered wholesale.

verb (used with or without object)

wholesaled, wholesaling

1. to sell by wholesale.

wholesale British  

/ ˈhəʊlˌseɪl /

noun

1. the business of selling goods to retailers in larger quantities than they are sold to final consumers but in smaller quantities than they are purchased from manufacturers Compare retail

2. 1. in large quantities

   2. at wholesale prices

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adjective

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

2. made, done, etc, on a large scale or without discrimination

adverb

1. on a large scale or without discrimination

verb

1. to sell (goods) at wholesale

wholesale Cultural  

1. The sale of merchandise to retailers rather than directly to the public.

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Other Word Forms

• wholesaler noun

Etymology

Origin of wholesale

1375–1425; late Middle English, from the phrase by hole sale in gross; whole, sale

Example Sentences

Iran has effectively blocked the strait - one of the world's busiest oil shipping channels - leading to soaring wholesale oil and gas prices.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Higher wholesale energy prices often show up first at the fuel pump and this is being seen, not just in the US but around the world.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The wholesale restaurant food distributor struck a deal to acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot for around $29 billion, including debt.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Secondly, wholesale funding costs have been rising due to structural deposit tightness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Maize originated, litis postulated, in a strange, wholesale mutation of teosinte, to which Indians added and subtracted features through intensive breeding.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• extensive
• indiscriminate
• large-scale
• sweeping