black market

noun
1.
the illicit buying and selling of goods in violation of legal price controls, rationing, etc.
2.
a place where such activity is carried on.
Origin
1930-35

black-market

[blak-mahr-kit] /ˈblækˈmɑr kɪt/
verb (used without object)
1.
to black-marketeer.
verb (used with object)
2.
to sell (something) in the black market.
Origin
1930-35; v. use of black market
British Dictionary definitions for black market

black market

noun
1.
  1. any system in which goods or currencies are sold and bought illegally, esp in violation of controls or rationing
  2. (as modifier): black market lamb
2.
the place where such a system operates
verb
3.
to sell (goods) on the black market
Derived Forms
black marketeer, noun
Word Origin and History for black market
n.

1931, from black + market.

black market in Culture

black market definition


The illegal buying and selling of goods above the price fixed by a government. Black markets usually develop when, because of war, disaster, or public policy, a government tries to set prices for commodities instead of allowing the normal operations of supply and demand to set prices.