# market

/ˈmɑɹkət/ (US) · /mˈɑːkɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/market
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. physical place for stalls

noun · CEFR A1

a place where people meet to buy and sell things, often from small tables or stalls.

For teachers: a physical location, often outdoors or in a large hall, where multiple vendors set up stalls to sell merchandise.

- We bought fresh bread and local honey at the outdoor market on Saturday.
- The city council recently renovated the historic covered market to accommodate more local artisans and organic food producers.

### 2. grocery store

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

a shop that sells food and household items.

For teachers: a retail establishment, such as a grocery store or supermarket, selling food and domestic supplies.

- I need to stop at the market on my way home to get some milk.
- The small corner market remains a vital resource for elderly residents who cannot travel to the larger supermarkets on the outskirts of town.

### 3. group of customers

noun · CEFR B1

the group of people who might want to buy a particular product.

For teachers: a specific demographic or group of potential consumers for a particular product or service.

- The company is trying to reach a younger market with its new smartphone.
- Market research suggests that there is a significant untapped market for luxury eco-tourism among retirees in Northern Europe.

### 4. the trading system

noun · CEFR B2

the business of buying and selling a specific type of product.

For teachers: the abstract system or sector of commercial activity for specific goods or securities.

- The housing market has been very slow this year because of high interest rates.
- Fluctuations in the global oil market have a direct and immediate impact on the operating costs of international shipping companies.

### 5. to promote and sell

verb · CEFR B1

to advertise and try to sell a product to people.

For teachers: to promote or make a product available for sale through advertising and strategic positioning.

- They are marketing the new drink as a healthy alternative to soda.
- The studio struggled to market the film effectively because it didn't fit neatly into a single genre like horror or comedy.

## Examples

- I buy fresh vegetables at the local market every Saturday.
- The city's central market is famous for its wide variety of spices and handmade crafts.
- While the physical market remains a community hub, the global digital market has fundamentally altered how consumers interact with international brands and services.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
