profitable: It was profitable for them to produce large amounts of food.
saleable: Something that is saleable is easy to sell to people.
marketable: …telling them how to turn their prize research projects into marketable products.
com|me r|cial ba nk (commercial banks ) N‑COUNT A commercial bank is a bank which makes short-term loans using money from current or checking accounts. [BUSINESS ]
com|me r|cial brea k (commercial breaks ) N‑COUNT A commercial break is the interval during a commercial television programme, or between programmes, during which advertisements are shown.
com|mer|cial|ism /kəmɜː r ʃəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Commercialism is the practice of making a lot of money from things without caring about their quality. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Koons has engrossed himself in a world of commercialism that most modern artists disdain.
com|mer|cial|ize /kəmɜː r ʃəla I z/ (commercializes , commercializing , commercialized ) in BRIT, also use commercialise VERB If something is commercialized , it is used or changed in such a way that it makes money or profits, often in a way that people disapprove of. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [be V -ed] It seems such a pity that a distinguished name should be commercialized in such a manner. □ [V n] Federal agencies should commercialize research. ● com|mer|cial|ized ADJ □ Rock'n'roll has become so commercialized and safe since punk. ● com|mer|ciali|za|tion /kəmɜː r ʃəla I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the commercialization of Christmas.
com|mie /kɒ mi/ (commies ) N‑COUNT A commie is the same as a communist . [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
com|mis|er|ate /kəm I zəre I t/ (commiserates , commiserating , commiserated ) VERB If you commiserate with someone, you show them pity or sympathy when something unpleasant has happened to them. □ [V + with ] When I lost, he commiserated with me.
com|mis|sari|at /kɒ m I seə riət/ (commissariats ) N‑COUNT A commissariat is a military department that is in charge of food supplies.
com|mis|sary /kɒ m I səri, [AM ] -seri/ (commissaries ) N‑COUNT A commissary is a shop that provides food and equipment in a place such as a military camp or a prison. [AM ]
com|mis|sion ◆◆◇ /kəm I ʃ ə n/ (commissions , commissioning , commissioned )
1 VERB If you commission something or commission someone to do something, you formally arrange for someone to do a piece of work for you. □ [V n] The Ministry of Agriculture commissioned a study into low-input farming. □ [V n to-inf] You can commission them to paint something especially for you. □ [V -ed] …specially commissioned reports. ● N‑VAR Commission is also a noun. □ Parliament has set up a commission to investigate football-related violence.
2 N‑COUNT A commission is a piece of work that someone is asked to do and is paid for. □ Just a few days ago, I finished a commission.
3 N‑VAR [oft on N ] Commission is a sum of money paid to a salesperson for every sale that he or she makes. If a salesperson is paid on commission , the amount they receive depends on the amount they sell. □ The salesmen work on commission only. □ He also got a commission for bringing in new clients.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If a bank or other company charges commission , they charge a fee for providing a service, for example for exchanging money or issuing an insurance policy. [BUSINESS ] □ Sellers pay a fixed commission fee.
5 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A commission is a group of people who have been appointed to find out about something or to control something. □ The authorities have been asked to set up a commission to investigate the murders. □ …the Press Complaints Commission.
6 N‑COUNT If a member of the armed forces receives a commission , he or she becomes an officer. □ [+ as ] He accepted a commission as a naval officer.
7 PHRASE If something, for example a ship or a piece of equipment, is out of commission , it is broken and cannot be used until it is repaired. □ The operator expects the ship to be out of commission until the end of September.
8 → see also High Commission
com|mis|sion|er ◆◇◇ /kəm I ʃənə r / (commissioners ) also Commissioner
1 N‑COUNT A commissioner is an important official in a government department or other organization. □ …the European Commissioner for External Affairs. □ …police commissioner.
2 → see also High Commissioner
com|mit ◆◆◇ /kəm I t/ (commits , committing , committed )
1 VERB If someone commits a crime or a sin, they do something illegal or bad. □ [V n] I have never committed any crime. □ [V n] This is a man who has committed murder.
2 VERB If someone commits suicide , they deliberately kill themselves. □ [V n] There are unconfirmed reports he tried to commit suicide.
3 VERB If you commit money or resources to something, you decide to use them for a particular purpose. □ [V n + to/for ] They called on Western nations to commit more money to the poorest nations. □ [V n] He should not commit American troops without the full consent of Congress.
4 VERB If you commit yourself to something, you say that you will definitely do it. If you commit yourself to someone, you decide that you want to have a long-term relationship with them. □ [V pron-refl + to ] They could not commit themselves to any definite course of action. □ [V pron-refl] I'd like us to be closer but I don't want to commit myself too soon. □ [V + to ] You don't have to commit to anything over the phone. [Also V n + to ] ● com|mit|ted ADJ □ [+ to ] He said the government remained committed to peace. □ …a committed socialist.