commodity

American  

[kuh-mod-i-tee] / kəˈmɒd ɪ ti /

noun

plural

commodities

1. an article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service.

2. something of use, advantage, or value.

3. Stock Exchange. any unprocessed or partially processed good, as grain, fruits, and vegetables, or precious metals.

4. Obsolete. a quantity of goods.

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commodity British  

/ kəˈmɒdɪtɪ /

noun

1. an article of commerce

2. something of use, advantage, or profit

3. economics an exchangeable unit of economic wealth, esp a primary product or raw material

4. obsolete

   1. a quantity of goods

   2. convenience or expediency

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commodity Cultural  

1. Any product manufactured or grown.

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Other Word Forms

• noncommodity adjective

Etymology

Origin of commodity

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English commodite, from Anglo-French, from Latin commoditās “timeliness, convenience,” equivalent to commod(us) ( commode ) + -itās -ity

Explanation

A commodity is any useful or valuable thing, especially something that is bought and sold. Grain, coffee, and precious metals are all commodities. The word commodity is usually used in an economic context, as in importing commodities from other countries or trading in the stocks and commodities markets. You probably wouldn't say something like "I'm going to run to the corner store to pick up some commodities." This word can also be used figuratively to refer to anything valuable, like trust or patience. Some people think that honesty is a rare commodity in politics.

Example Sentences

"Reacting strongly to flexible commodity prices, when supply constraints are present only in the related sectors, brings down inflation fast but risks a recession later," it said.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

That’s as continued outperformance of rest-of-the-world stocks versus the U.S. are also hitting speed bumps, due to spiking commodity prices and global growth fallout.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

FICC, as it’s known on Wall Street, can be volatile from quarter to quarter as it hinges on a range of commodity markets and monetary policy.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

First, a country or coalition must have a dominant enough market position to swing the supply or price of a commodity or service.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

A newly composed classical opera in the late-twentieth century was like Beluga caviar: a shockingly expensive commodity from an endangered species, accessible to a very privileged few but an inconceivable luxury to the rest.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• asset
• goods
• material
• produce
• product
• property
• stock