A commodity is a basic good, like oil, wheat, or metals, that can be bought, sold, and traded, usually in large amounts. The individual units are mostly the same no matter who produces them.
From Latin *commoditas* “suitability, advantage,” from *commodus* “proper, convenient, useful,” from *com-* “together” + *modus* “measure, manner.” It shifted from “usefulness” to “useful goods” in trade.
When something becomes a commodity, people stop caring who made it and only care about the price and quality. That’s why creators and companies fight so hard to avoid being seen as ‘just a commodity’—it erases their uniqueness.
Language of 'commodity' has sometimes been applied metaphorically to women's bodies and labor, reflecting histories of exploitation and objectification. In markets, women's work has often been treated as a cheap or invisible commodity.
Use 'commodity' for goods and tradable items; avoid referring to people or bodies as commodities, especially in gendered ways.
["resource","good","product"]
Women have been central in producing and trading commodities, from agriculture to textiles, even when formal market records obscured their roles.
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