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

As one of the nation's largest grocers, Albertsons Companies' portfolio includes more than 2,200 stores, operating under more than 20 regional banners, across 34 states and Washington, DC. —Drew Pittock, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

The four plaintiffs from California, Illinois, and New York are accusing the grocer of failing to disclose that the product contained less caffeine than typical coffee products. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026

Mondelez, the maker of Oreos, Ritz and Wheat Thins, quit direct deliveries to 1,000 New York City indie grocers like Foodtown and Key Food — citing parking and delivery woes — while serving ShopRite and Wegmans. —Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Four plaintiffs who purchased the Trader Joe's coffee product, sold at the retailer's stores across the country, allege the grocer failed to disclose that the product contained less caffeine than typical coffee products. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 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