grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər  -shər 

: 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

Despite this density, the store count will continue to increase, with several grocers and chains like Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market and Publix all announcing new store openings. —Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026

Through partnerships with grocers and local businesses, the nonprofit provides all their meals for free. —Mike Spatocco, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

In February, the grocer held a fair for 600 full- and part-time positions for the third H-E-B in Tarrant County that is expected to open this summer in the Mid-Cities area, at the corner of Cheek-Sparger Road and Rio Grande Boulevard. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

The grocer is closing a retail site in Fort Worth and another in Euless, according to letters sent to the Texas Workforce Commission. —Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for grocer

• closer
• grosser
• greengrocer

Kids Definition

grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər 

: a dealer in food and household supplies