(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a person who buys or sells goods in large quantities, especially one who imports and exports them.
Any knowledgeable wine ~ would be able to advise you.
N-COUNT
2.
A ~ is a person who owns or runs a shop, store, or other business. (AM; in BRIT, usually use retailer , shopkeeper )
The family was forced to live on credit from local ~s.
N-COUNT
3.
Merchant seamen or ships are involved in carrying goods for trade.
There’s been a big reduction in the size of the British ~ fleet in recent years.
ADJ: ADJ n