1
: grocery items (such as tobacco, sugar, flour, and coffee) that do not contain liquid
2
: textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, and notions as distinguished especially from hardware and groceries

Examples of dry goods in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
El Mercado Fresco has seven stores across the metro, serving Mexican and Hispanic dry goods, deli products, bakery items and more. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2025 The ability of some vacuum sealers to work with mason jars and canisters also means that things like sauces, jams, and dry goods can be locked away in airtight conditions too. Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appétit, 27 Jan. 2025 Levi Strauss journeyed from New York to San Francisco to open a dry goods business during the gold rush. Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025 California’s swiftly growing population also inspired the formation of banks like Wells Fargo and dry goods companies such as Levi Strauss, whose eponymous Bavarian immigrant founder sought to bring durable clothing to gold seekers. Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dry goods 

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of dry goods was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near dry goods

Cite this Entry

“Dry goods.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dry%20goods. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

dry goods

plural noun
: cloth goods (as fabrics, lace, and ribbon)

More from Merriam-Webster on dry goods

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