grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər How to pronounce grocer (audio) -shər How to pronounce grocer (audio)
: a dealer in staple foodstuffs, meats, produce, and dairy products and usually household supplies

Examples of grocer in a Sentence

Ask your local grocer if he sells organic fruits and vegetables.
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.
Last week, Aldi asked its loyal shoppers to vote on the next two flavors of the grocer’s popular Barissimo Coffee Creamer. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026 Upscale grocer Erewhon has opened its first store outside Los Angeles County, debuting at the Lakes in Thousand Oaks and bringing its viral $21 smoothies and wellness culture to Ventura County. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 The company — a staple in grocers like Walmart and Target, and in restaurants ranging from McDonald's to Taco Bell — has done more than a dozen acquisitions or investments since 2011. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 This contributes to a total of 180 stores across the country that the German grocer plans on opening this year. — Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grocer

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grocer, grosser "wholesale dealer in preserved foods, spices, wine, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French groser, grosser, grossour (Middle French grossier), from gros "the greater part, the bulk," en gros "wholesale, in bulk" (derivative of gros, adjective, "large, great, coarse") + -er, -our -er entry 2 — more at gross entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for grocer

See All Rhymes for grocer

Browse Nearby Words

grobianism
grocer
grocery
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Cite this Entry

“Grocer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grocer. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

grocer

noun
gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər How to pronounce grocer (audio)
: a dealer in food and household supplies
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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