SKIP TO CONTENT

dealership

/ˈdilərʃɪp/
/ˈdiləʃɪp/
IPA guide

Other forms: dealerships

A store that has approval to sell a specific brand of goods is a dealership. If you have your heart set on buying a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle, you might want to visit a dealership for a test ride.

A business is considered a dealership if its owner is authorized to sell a certain item (in other words, they're a dealer of that product). It's most common to talk about car dealerships, whether the cars they sell are new or used, but there are also boat dealerships and recreational vehicle dealerships. This word dates from about 1916, when it was defined as "the business of an authorized trader."

Definitions of dealership
  1. noun
    a business established or operated under an authorization to sell or distribute a company's goods or services in a particular area
    synonyms: franchise
    see moresee less
    type of:
    business, business concern, business organisation, business organization, concern
    a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
Pronunciation
US
/ˈdilərʃɪp/
UK
/ˈdiləʃɪp/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘dealership'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family