black-market

1 of 2

verb

black-mar·​ket ˈblak-ˈmär-kət How to pronounce black-market (audio)
black-marketed; black-marketing; black-markets

intransitive verb

: to buy or sell goods in the black market

transitive verb

: to sell in the black market
black marketer noun
or black marketeer
black marketeering noun

black market

2 of 2

noun

: illicit trade in goods or commodities in violation of official regulations
also : a place where such trade is carried on

Examples of black-market in a Sentence

Noun The black market in prescription drugs is thriving. They unloaded the stolen goods on the black market.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The gap between the official and black-market exchange rates is widening. Carlos Valdez and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 The story of a celebrity using a black-market drug to create a younger version of herself certainly isn't your typical Academy fare, but that’s exactly how the Oscar-less Moore could shake up the awards race this fall. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
Noun
Critics warn of potential abuse and the possibility of a black market. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 What was harder to foresee was the black market’s roaring growth in the shadow of that legalization. Lavanya Ramanathan, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for black-market 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1727, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black-market was in 1727

Dictionary Entries Near black-market

black market

black-market

black marlin

Cite this Entry

“Black-market.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-market. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

black market

noun
: trade that is against government controls (as of prices or rationing)
also : the place where such trade is carried on
black marketer
-ˈmär-kət-ər
noun
or black marketeer
-ˌmär-kə-ˈti(ə)r

More from Merriam-Webster on black-market

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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