retail

1 of 4

verb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
 especially for sense 2 also  ri-ˈtāl
retailed; retailing; retails

transitive verb

1
: to sell in small quantities directly to the ultimate consumer
2

intransitive verb

: to sell at retail
retailer noun

retail

2 of 4

noun

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
: the sale of commodities or goods in small quantities to ultimate consumers
also : the industry of such selling

retail

3 of 4

adjective

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
: of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of commodities at retail
retail trade

retail

4 of 4

adverb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
: in small quantities : from a retailer
Phrases
at retail
1
: at a retailer's price
2

Examples of retail in a Sentence

Verb We retail clothing at the best possible prices. jewelry that retails from $100 Noun She has a job in retail. Adjective Is that price retail or wholesale? Adverb You usually have to pay more if you buy something retail than if you buy it wholesale. The product sells retail for about $100.
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.
Verb
Readers of Robb Report are well aware that there are many ultra-aged single malt whiskies that hit the market commanding prices in the five-figure range like the $53,000 Balvenie 50 above or Macallan’s the Reach, which retailed for $125,000. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024 The cleanser, which retails for $32 on sonsieskin.com, is formulated with ginger root extract and natural bisabolol, which reduces inflammation, Multi Soothing Complex for hydration, and rose essence from Anderson’s garden, among the key ingredients. Charlie Carballo, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
The products come in compostable packaging and retail anywhere from $5 to $42, according to the company’s website. Natalie Wu, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 Andrea Wasserman covers physical and digital retail, customer experience, and marketing. Andrea Wasserman, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The company continues to negotiate the renewal of its retail license with the Cayman Islands government, which could significantly impact future revenue and cash flows. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 Áine Cain, a former senior retail reporter at Insider, and Kevin Greenlee, an attorney, wanted to bring their professional roles to the podcast. Aja Romano, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for retail 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French retaille cutting, deduction, retail, from retailler to cut out, from re- + tailler to cut — more at tailor

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1601, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1784, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retail was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near retail

Cite this Entry

“Retail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retail. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

retail

1 of 4 verb
re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl How to pronounce retail (audio)
: to sell in small amounts to people for their own use
retailer noun

retail

2 of 4 noun
: the sale of products or goods in small quantities to people for their own use

retail

3 of 4 adjective
: of, relating to, or engaged in selling by retail
retail stores

retail

4 of 4 adverb
: in small quantities : from a retailer

More from Merriam-Webster on retail

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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