English Reference
noun

brokerage

n.
US /ˈbɹoʊkɝɪdʒ/ UK /bɹˈəʊkɹɪdʒ/ bro·ker·age UK spelling brokerages

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Technical

    a company that acts as a middleman to help you buy and sell things like stocks, insurance, or houses.

    a commercial firm or agency that acts as an intermediary between a buyer and a seller, typically in financial or real estate markets.

    Simple

    He opened an account with an online brokerage to start investing in the stock market.

    In context

    The merger between the two major brokerages created a dominant player in the retail investment sector, controlling billions in client assets.

    Usage

    Often used as a countable noun when referring to a specific company.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical

    the money or fee you pay to a broker for helping you complete a deal.

    the commission or service fee charged by a broker for executing a transaction.

    Simple

    The brokerage on the sale of the house was five percent of the final price.

    In context

    Investors should carefully calculate the total brokerage costs, as high transaction fees can significantly erode long-term portfolio returns.

    Usage

    Usually uncountable when referring to the general concept of fees.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical

    the job or activity of acting as a broker.

    the professional practice or occupation of acting as an intermediary in commercial transactions.

    Simple

    She spent her entire career in brokerage, specializing in commercial shipping.

    In context

    The regulatory environment for insurance brokerage has become increasingly complex, requiring practitioners to maintain rigorous compliance standards.

    Usage

    Uncountable in this sense.

    brokingmediation

From broker + -age.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated