brick-and-mortar

adjective

brick-and-mor·​tar ˈbrik-ən(d)-ˈmȯr-tər How to pronounce brick-and-mortar (audio)
variants or bricks-and-mortar
: relating to or being a traditional business serving customers in a building as contrasted to an online business
a brick-and-mortar store

Examples of brick-and-mortar 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.
After exiting brick-and-mortar retail at Ulta seven years ago, Laura Geller is doubling back — and this time, wants to do it right. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 Robles and her family are excited to make East Charlotte the home for their first brick-and-mortar bakery. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 Brock and Durawa opened Wy'east after moving their Portland, Oregon, pizza truck business to Milwaukee as a brick-and-mortar restaurant. — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Tacos Loteria opened its brick-and-mortar just over a year ago as a husband-and-wife venture from Leo Santos, who cooked, and Maria Callejas, who handled day-to-day operations and other duties. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brick-and-mortar

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brick-and-mortar was in 1975

Rhymes for brick-and-mortar

See All Rhymes for brick-and-mortar

Browse Nearby Words

brick
brick-and-mortar
brickbat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brick-and-mortar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brick-and-mortar. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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