1. a person who buys and sells goods in large quantities, especially one who trades with foreign countries
2. a person who owns or operates a retail store

1. relating to trade or commerce

Examples

• The wealthy merchant imported spices from Asia.
• Local merchants complained about the new shopping mall.
• She comes from a family of grain merchants.
• The merchant ships carried cargo across the Atlantic.
• Small merchants struggled to compete with large chains.
• The merchant marine transported goods during wartime.
• He worked as a wine merchant for twenty years.