stores: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “stores” mean?
Multiple retail establishments or outlets where goods are kept and sold to the public.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Multiple retail establishments or outlets where goods are kept and sold to the public; also refers to supplies of goods or materials kept for future use.
The commercial sector of retail, the act of accumulating or reserving something for future use (especially in computing: data storage), or a designated place where items are kept in quantity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK usage strongly prefers 'shops' for the retail sense; 'stores' can sound more formal or old-fashioned (e.g., 'department stores'). In US English, 'store' is the default, generic term for a retail outlet. The 'supplies' sense (e.g., 'military stores') is standard in both.
Connotations
In UK English, 'stores' can evoke large, chain, or impersonal outlets, or warehouse-like places for storage. In US English, it carries a neutral, everyday connotation for any retail location.
Frequency
Much higher frequency in American English for the retail sense.
Grammar
How to Use “stores” in a Sentence
[verb] + stores: operate/manage/visit/shop at stores[adjective] + stores: large/independent storesstores + [verb]: stores sell/offer/close/openstores + [preposition]: stores in the city, stores on the high streetVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stores” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council stores the archived documents in a secure facility.
- Energy from solar panels is stored in large batteries.
American English
- She stores her winter clothes in the attic during the summer.
- The app stores your preferences locally on your device.
adjective
British English
- The store manager reviewed the day's figures.
- We need more store cupboard essentials like pasta and rice.
American English
- The store hours are posted on the door.
- He works in the store room organizing inventory.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to physical retail locations, sales figures per store, or inventory levels.
Academic
Used in economics (retail sector analysis) or logistics (supply chain management).
Everyday
Commonly used for shopping: 'I'm going to the stores.'
Technical
In computing: 'data stores' or 'key-value stores.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stores”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stores”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stores”
- Using 'stores' as a singular noun (e.g., 'I went to a stores').
- Confusing 'in store' (idiom) with 'in the store' (location).
- Overusing 'stores' in UK English contexts where 'shops' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, 'shop' is the everyday word for a place to buy things, while 'store' often implies a larger establishment (e.g., department store). In American English, 'store' is the standard, generic term for any retail outlet.
No. As a noun, it is the plural of 'store'. However, it can also be the 3rd person singular present tense of the verb 'to store' (e.g., He stores the data).
Yes. It commonly means supplies or reserves (e.g., military stores, food stores). In computing, it refers to places where data is kept (e.g., data stores).
It means 'planned or destined to happen in the future.' Example: 'Who knows what adventures lie in store for us?' It is not related to a physical shop.
Multiple retail establishments or outlets where goods are kept and sold to the public.
Stores is usually neutral in register.
Stores: in British English it is pronounced /stɔːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɔːrz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in store (for someone): something that is going to happen to someone in the future.”
- “set great store by something: to consider something very important.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
STORES: Shops To Obtain Resources Easily & Safely.
Conceptual Metaphor
STORES ARE CONTAINERS (for goods, supplies, or data).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'stores' used in its 'supplies' sense?