Definition
A large enclosed shopping center featuring multiple retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues under one roof or connected by climate-controlled walkways. Shopping malls became central social hubs for American consumers throughout the late 20th century.
Example Usage
We spent the entire Saturday at the mall, browsing stores and grabbing lunch at the food court.
Origin
The modern shopping mall concept emerged in the 1950s with the opening of indoor malls like Southdale in Minnesota; 'mall' likely derives from 'mall' in pall-mall, an old leisure game.
Fun Fact
Malls peaked in popularity during the 1980s and 90s as social gathering spaces for teenagers, but have declined significantly since the 2000s due to online retail.
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “mall” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator