office supply
noun
plural office supplies
1
a
: a physical resource (such as a writing implement, fastener, folder, paper, ink, etc.) that is needed for working in an office
—usually plural
All these jobs, as I see them, would require a full complement of office supplies: every conceivable kind of clip and clasp, name-brand ball-point pens, … bottles of correction fluid, ammo-like refills for various desktop mechanisms, and cool, smooth, hard pads of narrow-lined paper.—David Owen
[Arthur] Fry, who came up with the idea …, says his life has changed little despite the success of Post-its, which are a best-seller among office supplies.—Rahul Jacob
ODP sells office supplies; office furniture; technology products and services; cleaning, breakroom and facilities products; business machines and related supplies; and personal protective equipment at more than 800 Office Depot and OfficeMax stores and online.—David Elman
—usually singular before another nounan office supply store/business/dealer
b
: a business that sells office supplies
Main Street Office Supply
2
: the amount of commercial real estate available for use as office space in a particular area
Office transactions in Manhattan have slowed dramatically as remote work and cost-cutting measures reduce demand for space. Nearly a fifth of the city's office supply is available for rent …—Natalie Wong
Cite this Entry
“Office supply.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/office%20supply. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.
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