spot market

American  

noun

1. a market in which commodities, as grain, gold, or crude oil, are dealt in for cash and immediate delivery (futures market ).

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spot market British  

noun

1. commerce a market in which commodities, currencies, or securities are traded for immediate delivery Compare forward market

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Etymology

Origin of spot market

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Purchasers have also been hit by the fact that many pre-war contracts governing prices have been suspended as producers cite "force majeure," forcing reliance on higher spot market prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

For one thing, major American carriers now buy their fuel at the current spot market prices, instead of buying based on futures prices, Taylor said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

“Asian LNG buyers were closely monitoring the situation, with many reluctant to step up purchases in the spot market due to the higher prices,” ANZ analysts write.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Although it would take years to build new plants, some companies such as Venture Global have uncontracted volumes that will now fetch much higher prices on the spot market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The only possible way of making such a contract was by guaranteeing that the spot market should not fall below the price then ruling.

From The Romance and Tragedy by Russell, William Ingraham