supply
n. C / Un. an amount of something that is available for people to use. It often refers to goods or materials kept in a store or warehouse.
n. the total amount of a specific good or service that is available to consumers. Often contrasted with demand in economic contexts.
The store has a large supply of fresh fruit.
The factory stopped production because the supply of raw materials was delayed by the storm.
Economists argue that when the supply of a product exceeds the current demand, prices naturally drop until the market reaches a new equilibrium.
From Middle English supplien, borrowed from Old French soupleer, souploier, from Latin suppleo (“to fill up, make full, complete, supply”). The Middle English spelling was modified to conform to Latin etymology.
From supple + -ly.
Often used in the singular when referring to the general availability of a resource, but used in the plural ('supplies') for specific items like food or medicine.