noun

purveyor

per-VAY-er/pərˈveɪər/

A person or business that provides something.

The market is a trusted purveyor of fresh local produce.

A produce supplier hands a crate of fresh vegetables to a restaurant chef beside her open delivery van, with matching stocked crates visibly ready for delivery.

Etymology

purLatinahead

+veyLatinto see

+orAnglo-Frenchone who

Someone who “sees ahead” anticipates needs and makes preparations. A purveyor was someone who prepared the way or arranged household provisions, leading to the broader meaning of a supplier.

In context

Frank Tufano30:12

um more positive notes I'm gonna go I'm gonna buy some steaks in this local supermarket I actually am going to do a I'm gonna order something for my meat purveyor for tomorrow

CARNIVORE DIET: Day in the Life NYC

More examples

The restaurant buys its cheese from several local purveyors.
She opened a shop as a purveyor of handmade furniture.
He has a reputation as a purveyor of office gossip.

Forms

purveyor · purveyors

purvey verb — To supply goods or other provisions.

Similar words

supplier: Emphasizes providing goods or materials rather than spreading ideas.
provider: Often refers to someone supplying services rather than goods.
distributor: Emphasizes delivering goods from producers to stores or customers.