merchant UK /ˈmɜːtʃənt/US /ˈmɝt͡ʃənt/noun 5verb 1forms 3phrases 2 noun5 •A person who traffics in commodities for profit. •The owner or operator of a retail business. •(informal) Someone who is noted for a stated type of activity or behaviour.He's some kind of speed merchant — he drives way too fast.Goal merchant Smith scored twice again in the match against Mudchester Rovers. •A trading vessel; a merchantman.Every day, some sailor's wife, / The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, / Have just our theme of woe. — 1610 •(no longer used) A supercargo. verb1 •As a resident of a region, to buy goods from a non-resident and sell them to another non-resident. formsmerchanted · merchanting · merchants Phrases with merchant merchant of deathOne who engages in the unlawful distribution or supply of substances or objects with potentially fatal consequences, such as drugs or weapons. speed merchantSomeone who runs, drives or moves in a given way very fast.