mall

The word “mall” means a large building or complex of shops under one roof. In plain terms, most often means a shopping centre; less commonly, a wide walking avenue.

“Mall” is pronounced mawl (/mɔːl/ in IPA).

Here is “mall” used in a sentence: “We spent Saturday afternoon wandering around the mall.”

“Mall” is a noun.

“Mall” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Mall” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large building or complex of shops under one roof.

The two terms are largely interchangeable, and "mall" is the more common word in American English. A "mall" usually suggests a large complex of shops enclosed under one roof, while "shopping centre" (the more common British term) can also include open-air arrangements. In practice both describe a collection of shops in one place.

A mall is a large building or complex of shops under one roof, usually permanent stores. A market is typically a gathering of stalls or vendors, often open-air and temporary, selling goods such as food or crafts. Malls house fixed retailers, while markets are made up of movable stalls.

Besides the shopping sense, "mall" also means a broad, tree-lined pedestrian walkway or promenade, as in the famous ceremonial avenues named The Mall. This older sense refers to a public place for walking rather than shopping. Context makes clear which meaning is intended.

Common pairings include "shopping mall," "strip mall," "mall food court," and "outlet mall." People often talk about "going to the mall" for shopping and leisure.