ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from market + place
1.
a. : an open square or place in a town where markets or public sales are held
b. : market
aggressive competition … in a freely functioning marketplace — Harold Fleming
c. : the world of trade or economic activity : the everyday world
the depression sent him out into the marketplace — J.K.Hutchens
here is an educational institution that has come down … to the marketplace — Dwayne Orton
2. : a sphere in which intangible values (as ideas) compete for acceptance
the turbulent marketplace of ideas — J.M.Mathes
the marketplace of thought — Robert Bendiner