market-place
Definition
- Noun:
- A public space where a market is held: "market-place" refers to an open area or square where traders set up stalls and buyers gather to buy and sell goods, especially in a town or city.
- Figurative use: It can also denote the arena of commercial or economic activity, where goods, services, or ideas are exchanged competitively.
Usage Examples
- (A physical location where vendors sell produce and crafts.)
- (Figurative: the economic environment of buying and selling.)
- (A literal trading space.)
Advanced Usage
- "the market-place of ideas": a metaphorical term for the free exchange and competition of opinions, especially in a democratic society.
- Universities are often seen as a market-place of ideas. (A space where different viewpoints are debated.)
Variants and Related Words
- Market (n): a more general term for a place or system of buying and selling.
- The farmers' market is open every Sunday.
- Marketplace (n, one word): a common modern spelling variant, meaning the same as "market-place".
- The online marketplace has transformed retail.
- Market square (n): a specific type of public square used for markets.
- The market square was crowded with shoppers.
Synonyms
- Bazaar: a market in Middle Eastern or Asian countries, often with a variety of goods.
- Fair: a temporary market, often with entertainment and food.
- Exchange: a place or system for trading goods or securities (e.g., stock exchange).
- Plaza: a public square, often used for markets in Spanish-speaking regions.
Related Idioms
"Bring your product to the market-place": to introduce something for sale or public consideration.
- After years of development, they finally brought the new software to the market-place. (Made it available for purchase.)
"The market-place decides": a phrase meaning that consumer demand or competition determines success.
- In a free economy, the market-place decides which businesses thrive. (Consumer choice determines outcomes.)