What does "marketplace" mean?

1. (physical market area) an open space or building in a town where people meet to buy and sell goods. 2. (the world of business) the general world of trade, business, and competition between companies. 3. (exchange of ideas) a situation where different ideas or opinions are shared and compared.

marketplace

US //ˈmɑɹkətˌpɫeɪs// UK //mˈɑːkɪtplˌeɪs// mar·ket·place

1 physical market area (n.)
B1 Intermediate

an open space or building in a town where people meet to buy and sell goods.

a physical location, typically an open square or designated building, where a public market is held.

Example

The town marketplace was filled with the smell of fresh bread and flowers.

Example

Local artisans gathered in the medieval marketplace every Saturday to sell handmade pottery and woven textiles to the visiting tourists.
2 the world of business (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the general world of trade, business, and competition between companies.

the abstract arena of commercial competition and economic activity.

Example

In today's global marketplace, companies must be ready to change quickly.

Example

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has fundamentally disrupted the global marketplace, forcing traditional industries to rethink their long-term strategies.
- commerce
- industry
- business world

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3 exchange of ideas (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

a situation where different ideas or opinions are shared and compared.

a metaphorical sphere where ideas, theories, or fashions are exchanged and evaluated by the public.

Example

The university provides a marketplace for new and challenging ideas.

Example

The 'marketplace of ideas' concept suggests that through open public discourse, the most robust and truthful arguments will eventually prevail over falsehoods.

Origin

From market + place.