internal market
internal market
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "internal market" is /ɪnˈtɜːrnəl ˈmɑːrkɪt/.
in- /ɪn/: The vowel sound is a short 'i' like in "sit." The consonant is a voiced 'n' sound.
-ter- /tɜːr/: The 't' is an unaspirated stop sound. The vowel is a stressed 'er' sound like in "her." The 'r' is a retroflex approximant.
-nal /nəl/: The 'n' is a syllabic nasal consonant. The vowel is a schwa sound, a reduced and unstressed vowel.
mar- /mɑːr/: The 'm' is a bilabial nasal consonant. The vowel is a long 'a' sound like in "father." The 'r' is a retroflex approximant.
-ket /kɪt/: The 'k' is a voiceless velar stop. The vowel is a short 'i' like in "sit." The 't' is a voiceless alveolar stop.
Word Form Variations
Singular: internal market
Plural: internal markets
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A system of trade and commerce that operates within the borders of a single country, as opposed to international trade. It encompasses the production, distribution, and exchange of goods and services between different regions, states, or provinces of a nation.
Synonyms: domestic market, home market, national market
Antonyms: foreign market, global market, international market
A policy or regulatory framework, especially within a supranational political and economic bloc (such as the European Union), that aims to eliminate barriers to the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people between member states.
Synonyms: single market, common market
Antonyms: fragmented market, protectionist market, segmented market
Examples of Use
Books: A legal textbook discusses the core principles of the European Union, stating that the EU would not be what it is today without its internal market. It is the source of significant European integration and remains the primary political reason for EU membership. (Sacha Garben and Inge Govaere, The Internal Market 2.0, 2022)
Online Publications: A UK government publication provides guidance on the UK Internal Market Act 2020, explaining that the legislation "works in the interests of businesses, workers and consumers. It protects jobs and livelihoods across the UK by providing practical support for the free flow of goods and services." (Gov.uk, July 2025)
Newspapers: A news article might report on a new trade dispute between states within a country, noting that "analysts fear the growing protectionist measures could threaten the stability of the nation's internal market."
Public Discourse: In a televised debate, a politician might argue, "We must strengthen our internal market by investing in new infrastructure, which will help businesses in our rural areas access consumers in our major cities."
Journal Articles: An academic paper on business strategy might analyze how companies can use "internal marketing" to better communicate with their employees. The article might state that "effective internal marketing is a key driver of employee engagement and can turn team members into strong brand advocates." (Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, February 2021)
10 Famous Quotes Using Internal Market
"1992 is much more than the creation of an internal market abolishing barriers to the free movement of goods, services, and investment." — Jacques Delors (Lib Quotes)
"The internal market should be designed to benefit each and every citizen of the Community." — Jacques Delors (Lib Quotes)
"Nationalism makes us poor because its Siamese twin, protectionism, will destroy the internal market and disrupt international trade." — Frans Timmermans (BrainyQuote)
"We must continue to liberalise the single market, cut red tape and basically create a digital single internal market." — Alexander Stubb (World Economic Forum, January 2015)
"A genuine large internal market...without which the negative aspects...would for some countries or regions cancel out the positive repercussions." — Jacques Delors (CVCE.eu, September 1985)
"Alongside the common policies, our basic aim will continue to be the completion of a borderless single market. This is crucial to our prosperity and our role in the world." — Jacques Delors (European Commission, January 1991)
"I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good." — Adam Smith (BrainyQuote)
"By working together with our provincial and territorial colleagues to remove internal trade and labour mobility barriers, we can unlock new market opportunities." — Jean-Yves Duclos (Canada.ca, February 2025)
"The European process of market law uniformity, however, is contestable when assessed in the light of democratic legitimacy." — Janja Hojnik (Croatian Yearbook of European Law and Policy)
"If we have chosen the position in life in which we can most of all work for mankind, no burdens can bow us down, because they are sacrifices for the benefit of all." — Karl Marx (Marxists Internet Archive)
Etymology
The term "internal market" is a compound word, combining "internal" and "market."
Internal: This word comes from the Latin word "internalis," meaning "inward" or "within." It's derived from "internus," which has the same meaning. So, "internal" has always carried the sense of being on the inside, as opposed to external or outside.
Market: The word "market" has a very long history, tracing back to the Latin word "mercatus," which means "a market" or "trade." This, in turn, comes from the verb "mercari," meaning "to trade" or "to deal."
The combination of these two words, "internal market," first appeared in the late 1700s. The Oxford English Dictionary's earliest known citation is from the writing of the famous economist Adam Smith in 1776, in his seminal work, The Wealth of Nations.
In its original use, the term referred to the trade and commerce that happens within a country's own borders. This was in contrast to international trade, which was the focus of much economic discussion at the time. So, the first meaning of "internal market" was simply to describe the domestic economy of a nation. This original meaning is still in use today, alongside its more recent association with supranational organizations like the European Union.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Internal Market
Literal Phrases:
Completion of the internal market: A phrase often used in the context of the European Union to describe the process of removing all barriers to trade and movement among member states.
Harmonization of the internal market: Refers to the process of standardizing laws, regulations, and practices across different regions or countries to ensure fair and consistent competition.
Functioning internal market: Describes a market that is operating efficiently without significant barriers or disruptions.
Barriers to the internal market: Refers to any obstacles, such as tariffs, quotas, or different regulations, that hinder the free flow of goods, services, or people within a single country or economic bloc.
Idioms with Synonyms:
A big fish in a small pond: This idiom, which uses "pond" as a synonym for "market," can be used to describe a company that has a large share of its home market but is not significant internationally.
To get one's foot in the door: This idiom can be used to describe a company's first successful entry into a new market.
To corner the market: This idiom describes a company's ability to dominate a specific market, much like a monopoly within the internal market.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of internal market from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
