¹commerce

noun com·merce \ˈkä-(ˌ)mərs\

: activities that relate to the buying and selling of goods and services

Full Definition of COMMERCE

: social intercourse : interchange of ideas, opinions, or sentiments

: the exchange or buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving transportation from place to place

: sexual intercourse

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Origin of COMMERCE

Middle French, from Latin commercium, from com- + merc-, merx merchandise

First Known Use: 1537

Related to COMMERCE

Synonyms: business, marketplace, trade, traffic

Antonyms: nonintercourse

Synonym Discussion of COMMERCE

business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities. business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions. commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities. industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale. traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.