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bodega

noun
bo·​de·​ga | \ bō-ˈdā-gə How to pronounce bodega (audio) \

Definition of bodega

1 : a storehouse for maturing wine
2a : wineshop
b(1) : bar entry 1 sense 5a
(2) : barroom
3 : a usually small grocery store in an urban area specifically : one specializing in Hispanic groceries
Apothecaries, Bodegas, and Boutiques Example Sentences Learn More about bodega

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Apothecaries, Bodegas, and Boutiques

Apothecary, bodega, and boutique may not look very similar, but they are all related both in meaning and in origin. Each of these words can be traced back to a Latin word for “storehouse” (apotheca), and each one refers in English to a retail establishment of some sort. Although bodega initially meant “a storehouse for wine,” it now most commonly refers to a grocery store in an urban area, especially one that specializes in Hispanic groceries. Boutique has also taken on new meanings: its first sense in English (“a small retail store”) is still current, but it now may also denote “a small company that offers highly specialized products or services.” Of the three words, apothecary has changed the least; it has gone from referring solely to the person who sells drugs or medicines to also naming the store where such goods are sold.

Examples of bodega in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Though both bodegas stand out for their expert tours and massive barrel rooms, Codorníu has a slight edge over Freixenet for its modernist architecture, underground train, and easily digestible museum. — Benjamin Kemper, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Guide to Spanish Wine Country," 7 Mar. 2018 The airport bodega sold water in $3.99 aluminum bottles. — Melia Russell, SFChronicle.com, "SFO’s plastic water bottle ban draws mixed reactions on first day," 20 Aug. 2019 In previous security clampdowns, neighborhood bodegas had opened their doors for a few hours a day after dark so that people could buy necessities like milk, grains and baby food. — Washington Post, "No phone calls, no groceries: Kashmir on edge under lockdown," 9 Aug. 2019 Small markets like the downtown bodega-style Superior Market, 307 W. Broadway, and Smoketown's Joe's Market offer grab 'n go options like ready-to-eat sandwiches, salad bars and made-to-order pizzas to cater to the desk-eating generation. — Savannah Eadens, The Courier-Journal, "Need your food fast? More Louisville restaurants are offering grab 'n go options," 24 July 2019 The bodega will employ people from surrounding neighborhoods, and provide vegetables, fruit, pre-packaged salads, smoothies and coffee, as well as a meeting place, cafe area and food from its own gardens. — Amy Bartner, Indianapolis Star, "Hogsett, Merritt both pitch fixes for food deserts," 21 June 2019 Yesterday, Kendall Jenner popped into a bodega wearing as glamorous an outfit as any New York City corner store has ever seen. — Olivia Harrison, refinery29.com, "Coca-Cola Weighs In On Those Photos Of Kendall Jenner Drinking Orange Vanilla Coke," 20 June 2019 Sweet styles made with Pedro Ximénez wine grapes round out a bodega’s offerings. — Shana Clarke, Fortune, "A New Style of Winemaking Could Take Sherry Mainstream," 29 June 2019 Starting this month, seven Oatly ice cream flavors will hit bodega shelves across New York City. — Michelle Santiago Cortés, refinery29.com, "Oatly’s Oat Milk Ice Cream Is Here & It’s Seriously Delicious," 15 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bodega.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of bodega

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for bodega

Spanish, from Latin apotheca storehouse — more at apothecary

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