noun
retail
REE-tayl
noun
1
The business of selling goods directly to individual customers, rather than in bulk to other businesses.
"She has worked in retail for over a decade."
verb
1
To sell something to customers, usually at a stated price.
"The new phone retails for around $800."
How to Use Retail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSelling to the public, or the price the public pays.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
retail price
retail store
retails for
Word Forms
retailed past tense, retails singular
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Etymology
From the Old French verb retaillier, "to cut off a piece" — reflecting the idea of selling goods in smaller portions rather than wholesale.