market
From Middle English 'market', from Old North French 'mercat', from Latin 'mercatus'.
A market can refer to a physical place where goods are bought and sold, such as a farmers' market or a fish market. More broadly, it also refers to the entire system or sphere in which goods and services are exchanged, often driven by supply and demand, without necessarily being a physical location. This can include the global financial market or the market for a specific product or service. Furthermore, a market can denote the demand for a particular product or service, or a specific group of potential customers for a product.
| plural |
|---|
| markets |
- We went to the local farmers' market to buy fresh vegetables. — This sentence uses 'market' to mean a physical place where food is sold.
- The stock market experienced significant fluctuations today. — Here, 'market' refers to the abstract system of buying and selling stocks.
- There's a growing market for eco-friendly products. — This example uses 'market' to describe the demand and potential customer base for a type of product.
- The company is trying to capture a larger share of the global smartphone market. — In this context, 'market' refers to the entire industry or customer base for smartphones.
To market something means to promote and sell a product or service, including activities like advertising, public relations, and distribution, with the goal of making it attractive to potential buyers and generating sales.
| gerund | past | present |
|---|---|---|
| marketing | marketed | markets |
- The company plans to market its new software aggressively. — This means the company will promote and sell the software energetically.
- They hired a firm to market their product to a younger demographic. — This implies using strategies to appeal to and sell the product to younger people.
- It's essential to understand your target audience before you market a new brand. — This highlights the importance of audience research for effective promotion and sales.