WordGarden.iovendor
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /vˈɛndə/
US
- /ˈvɛndər/
Meanings
Noun
a person or business that sells goods, especially in a market or public setting
an outside company that supplies goods or services to another business or organization
Beyond the definition
A vendor is a person or company that sells goods or services. You might picture someone selling hot dogs at a baseball game or fresh fruit at a local market. But the word is also common in business. A company can be a vendor when it supplies software, equipment, cleaning, delivery, or other services to another company. The main idea is simple: this is the party that provides what the buyer needs.
The word "vendor" first described someone selling goods in public, often from a stall, cart, or small stand. That picture still fits today when you think of street food sellers, market stalls, or people at fairs selling handmade items. Over time, though, the meaning grew wider and became an important part of everyday business language.
Today, a vendor is any person or business that provides goods or services to another person or business. This can include a small shop owner selling jewelry, a company supplying office furniture, or a software firm selling tools to a large business. In business writing, the word is often used for outside companies that provide products or services under an agreement or as part of regular work.
The exact sense depends on the situation. At a festival, it may mean a person selling food, drinks, or souvenirs. At a wedding or large event, it can mean a business hired to provide flowers, music, or catering. In an office, people may talk about choosing or managing vendors, meaning the outside companies that supply needed products or services.
Sometimes the word refers to more than a single sale. A business may work with the same vendor for years if that company keeps providing something useful and reliable. Whether it is a person at a street corner stand or a large company serving another company, the central idea stays the same: a vendor is the seller or provider in the relationship.
Examples
- 1
Street seller
We bought cold drinks from a street vendor outside the museum.
- 2
Festival stalls
Dozens of food vendors set up stalls during the music festival.
- 3
Warranty support
If the printer is still under warranty, contact the vendor first.
- 4
Outsourced service
The company hired an outside vendor to handle payroll.
- Phraseoutside vendor
another company that provides a service
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Software purchasing
Our IT team is comparing prices from three software vendors.
- 6
Approved sellers
The hospital only buys equipment from approved vendors.
- Phraseapproved vendors
sellers officially accepted by an organization
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- vendornoun
Forms
- vendorspluralnoun