an interchange of goods or commodities, especially on a large scale between different countries (foreign commerce) or between different parts of the same country (domestic commerce) trade; business.
2.
social relations, especially the exchange of views, attitudes, etc.
3.
sexual intercourse.
4.
intellectual or spiritual interchange; communion.
5.
(initial capital letter). Also called Commerce Department. Informal. the Department of Commerce.
Origin
1530-40; < Middle French < Latincommercium, equivalent to commerc(ārī) to trade together (com-com- + mercārī to buy, deal, derivative of merc-, stem of merx goods) + -ium-ium
In addition he demanded the complete freedom of commerce and industry.
commerce exports of cotton, ship machinery and dehydrated onions.
Various regulatory schemes control how commerce is conducted.
British Dictionary definitions for commerce
commerce
/ˈkɒmɜːs/
noun
1.
the activity embracing all forms of the purchase and sale of goods and services
2.
social relations and exchange, esp of opinions, attitudes, etc
Word Origin
C16: from Latin commercium trade, from commercārī, from mercārī to trade, from merx merchandise
Word Origin and History for commerce
n.
1530s, from Middle French commerce (14c.), from Latin commercium "trade, trafficking," from com- "together" (see com-) + merx (genitive mercis) "merchandise" (see market (n.)).