wholesale

American  

[hohl-seyl] / ˈhoʊlˌseɪl /

noun

1. the sale of goods in quantity, as to retailers or jobbers, for resale (retail ).

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in sale by wholesale.

2. extensive; broadly indiscriminate.

   wholesale discharge of workers.

   Synonyms:

   promiscuous, undiscriminating, inclusive, thorough, comprehensive, far-reaching

adverb

1. in a wholesale way; on wholesale terms.

   I can get it for you wholesale.

2. in large quantities; on a large scale, especially without discrimination.

   Wild horses were slaughtered wholesale.

verb (used with or without object)

wholesaled, wholesaling

1. to sell by wholesale.

wholesale British  

/ ˈhəʊlˌseɪl /

noun

1. the business of selling goods to retailers in larger quantities than they are sold to final consumers but in smaller quantities than they are purchased from manufacturers Compare retail

2. 1. in large quantities

   2. at wholesale prices

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in such business

2. made, done, etc, on a large scale or without discrimination

adverb

1. on a large scale or without discrimination

verb

1. to sell (goods) at wholesale

wholesale Cultural  

1. The sale of merchandise to retailers rather than directly to the public.

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Other Word Forms

• wholesaler noun

Etymology

Origin of wholesale

1375–1425; late Middle English, from the phrase by hole sale in gross; whole, sale

Example Sentences

The wholesale restaurant food distributor struck a deal to acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot for around $29 billion, including debt.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Higher wholesale prices push up prices at the pump, often with a slight delay, although a big proportion of the overall fuel price is made up of the cost of transport, processing, retail and tax.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

In 2021, the UK food and drink industry faced a CO2 crisis after the price of wholesale gas surged and fertilizer producers struggled with higher manufacturing costs.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Egelhof said investors he speaks with don’t expect Warsh to immediately pursue the type of wholesale overhaul that he advertised.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The new job in London is not in a gallery; it’s a stockroom that supplies stores with wholesale reproductions of popular and famous paintings.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

Related Words

• extensive
• indiscriminate
• large-scale
• sweeping