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

While the streets of Chinatown, with fish mongers, grocers, and myriad retailers displaying wares pouring into the sidewalks, offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of Chinese-Americans, Holton reveals the quotidian curiosities of interior existence. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

In partnership with Conagra Brands, cans of Wendy's chili with beans were dropped at grocers and online retailers in spring 2023 and sold for $4.99. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 10 June 2025

For example, in 2024 the Association sponsored a bill to incentivize grocers to open stores in food deserts. —Ron Fong, Oc Register, 21 May 2025

As such, the kids witness a male grocer taking advantage of a hungry and very pregnant woman, trying to lure her to the backroom with the promise of cases of high-end foods. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 May 2025

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