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Synonyms

marketing

American  
[mahr-ki-ting] / ˈmɑr kɪ tɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of buying or selling in a market.

  2. the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling.


marketing British  
/ ˈmɑːkɪtɪŋ /

noun

  1. the provision of goods or services to meet customer or consumer needs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • intermarketing adjective
  • premarketing adjective

Etymology

Origin of marketing

First recorded in 1555–65; market + -ing 1

Explanation

Marketing is how you go about promoting and selling a product. Any ad campaign is a type of marketing. Marketing has to do with making people aware of what you have to offer, whether it's updated software, a clearance sale, or ice-cold lemonade. If a commercial really makes you want to buy something, the marketing worked. Politicians use marketing in their campaigns to convince voters. Marketing is all about selling — and given how many ads there are everywhere you look, it’s probably one of the most powerful forces in the world.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing marketing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has installed Lon Rosen, formerly the Dodgers’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer, as the Lakers’ president of business operations.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Sources told the outlet that the couple’s abode went into contract at the end of the year, “after a quiet marketing process” that was managed by Compass agent Pamela D’Arc.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

At AI customer support company Sendbird, a token consumption leaderboard has been “super-impactful,” according to growth marketing lead Abhi Jothilingam.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Even if you are a marketing manager rather than a professional swimmer, that has to count for something, right?

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

And I was mindful to do a good job with the marketing for Mrs. Wigginbottom—and leave time to barter biscuits for more newspapers and fatten up that orange tomcat on the back porch.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan