◈ GLOSSARY · TRADING & MARKETS
Market Order.
A definition, in plain English — with the books that teach it.
Reviewed by ClearValue Editorial Team · Jun 27, 2026
◈ DEFINITION
What it means
Definition
An instruction to your broker to buy or sell immediately at whatever price is currently available. You get speed and a near-guaranteed fill, but no control over price. In fast-moving or thinly traded names, the fill can land meaningfully worse than the quote you saw on screen.
◈ IN PRACTICE
Example
You send a market buy for 100 shares quoted at $50.00. By the time the order routes, the ask has ticked to $50.12 and you fill there — $12 worse than the price that prompted the click.