Definition

Noun: - The act of selling goods for a living, especially by traveling from place to place and offering small items for sale. It refers to the occupation or activity of a peddler.

Usage

• The word "peddling" is used as a noun to describe the business or act of selling goods, typically in small quantities and often while moving from one location to another. It can sometimes carry a connotation of selling minor or trivial items.

Examples

• Noun:
  • He made a meager living from the peddling of trinkets and household goods.
  • Street peddling is common in many bustling city markets.
  • The new regulations aim to control unlicensed peddling in the town square.

Advanced Usage

• "Drug peddling": A specific and common collocation referring to the illegal sale of narcotics.
  • He was arrested for drug peddling.
• The term can be used metaphorically to imply the spreading or promoting of ideas, often with a negative connotation.
  • The politician was accused of peddling misinformation. (Note: In this metaphorical use, "peddling" functions as a verb, which is a different part of speech from the target noun.)

Variants and Related Words

• Peddle (verb): To sell or offer goods, especially small items, while traveling from place to place. To promote or spread an idea or rumor.
  • He travels to rural villages to peddle his wares.
• Peddler (noun): A person who peddles goods; a hawker.
  • The peddler carried his goods in a large backpack.

Synonyms

• Hawking: Selling goods informally in public places.
• Vending: Selling goods, especially through a machine or small stall.

Related Phrases

• Door-to-door peddling: The practice of selling goods by going from one house to another.
  • Before the internet, door-to-door peddling was a more common sales technique.

Noun

1. the act of selling goods for a living