trade counter

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableBritish

   A sales desk at a store or supplier where people who work in a trade buy materials, often at special prices.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say a trade counter or two trade counters.

   Patterns

   • at the trade counter
   • buy something from a trade counter

   Plumbers can pick up pipes and fittings at the trade counter.

   The store has a separate trade counter for builders and electricians.

   She opened an account so she could buy paint at the trade counter.

2. 2nouncountableBritish

   The area in a shop or warehouse where business customers are served, as opposed to the regular checkout.

   Grammar: Often used with the definite article: the trade counter.

   Patterns

   • the trade counter is open
   • go to the trade counter

   The trade counter is at the back of the warehouse, past the main tills.

   If you have a business account, please go straight to the trade counter.

   The trade counter closes at 5 p.m., an hour before the shop.

Word forms

Common combinations

at the trade counter

You can collect your order at the trade counter.

trade counter prices

Trade counter prices are lower than retail prices.

open a trade account

We opened a trade account to use the trade counter.

Synonyms and how they differ

trade desk

A more general term; it can also refer to a financial trading desk, so it is less specific to building supplies.

contractor counter

The usual American term for the same idea; use it in US contexts.

Word family

trade noun

The business of buying and selling, or a particular skilled job.

trader noun

A person who buys and sells goods or shares.

counter noun

A long flat surface in a shop where customers are served.

Commonly confused: trade counter or trade-in?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “trade counter”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words