Item vs. Product: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 10, 2023
An item is a singular object or unit, while a product is something created to be sold, often as a result of a process or effort.
Key Differences
An item generally refers to a singular object, piece, or unit. It is a broad term that can be used in various contexts, ranging from a piece of news in a bulletin to an object in a list. On the other hand, a product primarily refers to something that is manufactured, crafted, or developed with the intent of being sold. It implies a certain commercial value or potential.
When you go shopping, each individual thing you buy can be referred to as an item. For instance, if you buy an apple, a notebook, and a pen, each of these is an item. However, if that notebook has been manufactured by a company after research, design, and assembly, then it's also a product of that company. This denotes that while all products can be items, not all items are necessarily products.
In another perspective, item carries a sense of neutrality in its usage. It doesn't necessarily denote any commercial intent or process behind it. A rock on the ground or a star in the sky can be termed as items. In contrast, a product inherently carries the idea of intent, process, and often commercial value. It's something that's been produced, usually for a specific purpose or market.
Another interesting distinction is in the realm of software. An item might refer to an individual entry in a database, whereas a product would be the software application itself, created and developed for users. The software is the result of coding, testing, and design, making it a product. Each entry in its database, on the other hand, is simply an item.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A singular object or unit.
Something created to be sold.
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Intent
Neutral, without inherent commercial intent.
Implies commercial value or purpose.
Usage in Shopping
Individual things bought.
Goods manufactured for sale.
In the Realm of Software
Individual entry in a database.
The software application itself.
Associated Process
Not necessarily associated with a production process.
Result of a design, manufacturing, or development process.
Item and Product Definitions
Item
A singular piece in a collection.
There's a rare item in my coin collection.
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Product
An article or substance that is manufactured for sale.
The company launched a new product last week.
Item
An entry on a list or agenda.
The next item on our meeting agenda is the budget.
Product
The result of an effort or process.
The novel was the product of years of research.
Item
An individual object or unit.
She placed each item in the box carefully.
Product
An outcome of a particular influence.
She is a product of her environment.
Item
A topic or piece of news.
Did you hear about that scandalous item in the newspaper?
Product
An item that is made or refined and marketed
Farm products.
Soaps, detergents, and similar products.
Travel products such as vacation trips.
Item
A specific subject of consideration.
The main item of discussion was the merger.
Product
Such items considered as a group
Sold a lot of product in May.
Item
A single article or unit in a collection, enumeration, or series.
Product
A preparation, such as a gel, used for styling hair
Began to use product soon after he became famous.
Item
A clause of a document, such as a bill or charter.
Product
A substance resulting from a chemical or nuclear reaction.
Item
An entry in an account.
Product
A direct result; a consequence
"Is history the product of impersonal social and economic forces?" (Anthony Lewis).
Item
A bit of information; a detail.
Product
A person whose characteristics or abilities are the result of certain influences or kinds of experience
"She is the product of an America in which explicit displays of pride in intellect are considered unseemly" (Yuval Levin).
Item
A short piece in a newspaper or magazine.
Product
The number or quantity obtained by multiplying two or more numbers together.
Item
A romantically involved couple
"[They] soon began seeing each other ... and were an item for a year and a half." (Peter J. Boyer).
Product
A scalar product.
Item
Also; likewise. Used to introduce each article in an enumeration or list.
Product
A vector product.
Item
To record, especially in an itemized list.
Product
Anything that is produced; a result.
The product of last month's quality standards committee is quite good, even though the process was flawed.
Item
A distinct physical object.
Tweezers are great for manipulating small items.
Product
The amount of an artifact that has been created by someone or some process.
They improve their product every year; they export most of their agricultural production.
Item
An object that can be picked up for later use.
Product
A consequence of someone's efforts or of a particular set of circumstances.
Skill is the product of hours of practice.
His reaction was the product of hunger and fatigue.
Item
A line of text having a legal or other meaning; a separate particular in an account.
The items in a bill
In response to the first item, we deny all wrongdoing.
Product
(chemistry) A chemical substance formed as a result of a chemical reaction.
This is a product of lime and nitric acid.
Item
(psychometrics) A question on a test, which may include its answers.
The exam has 100 items, each of which includes a correct response and three distractors.
Product
(arithmetic) A quantity obtained by multiplication of two or more numbers.
The product of 2 and 3 is 6.
The product of 2, 3, and 4 is 24.
Item
A matter for discussion in an agenda.
The first item for discussion is the budget for next year's picnic.
Product
(mathematics) Any operation or a result thereof which generalises multiplication of numbers, like the multiplicative operation in a ring, product of types or a categorical product.
Item
(informal) Two people who are having a romantic or sexual relationship with each other.
Jack and Jill are an item.
Product
Any tangible or intangible good or service that is a result of a process and that is intended for delivery to a customer or end user.
Item
A short article in a newspaper.
An item concerning the weather
Product
A commodity offered for sale.
That store offers a variety of products.
We've got to sell a lot of product by the end of the month.
Item
(obsolete) A hint; an innuendo.
Product
Any preparation to be applied to the hair, skin, nails, etc.
Wash excess product out of your hair.
Item
(India) item girl
Product
Illegal drugs, especially cocaine, when viewed as a commodity.
I got some product here – you buying?
Item
(transitive) To make a note of.
Product
To produce.
Item
Likewise
Product
Anything that is produced, whether as the result of generation, growth, labor, or thought, or by the operation of involuntary causes; as, the products of the season, or of the farm; the products of manufactures; the products of the brain.
There are the productOf those ill-mated marriages.
These institutions are the products of enthusiasm.
Item
Also; as an additional article.
Product
The number or sum obtained by adding one number or quantity to itself as many times as there are units in another number; the number resulting from the multiplication of two or more numbers; as, the product of the multiplication of 7 by 5 is 35. In general, the result of any kind of multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication.
Item
An article; a separate particular in an account; as, the items in a bill; he picked up four items at the drug store.
Product
To produce; to bring forward.
Item
A hint; an innuendo.
A secret item was given to some of the bishops . . . to absent themselves.
Product
To lengthen out; to extend.
He that doth much . . . products his mortality.
Item
A short article in a newspaper; a paragraph; as, an item concerning the weather.
Product
To produce; to make.
Item
A topic or piece of information having the salacious character of gossip, especially a romantic relation between two people; as, I hear that the boss and his new secretary are an item.
Product
Commodities offered for sale;
Good business depends on having good merchandise
That store offers a variety of products
Item
To make a note or memorandum of.
I have itemed it in my memory.
Product
An artifact that has been created by someone or some process;
They improve their product every year
They export most of their agricultural production
Item
A distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list;
He noticed an item in the New York Times
She had several items on her shopping list
The main point on the agenda was taken up first
Product
A consequence of someone's efforts or of a particular set of circumstances;
Skill is the product of hours of practice
His reaction was the product of hunger and fatigue
Item
A whole individual unit; especially when included in a list or collection;
They reduced the price on many items
Product
A chemical substance formed as a result of a chemical reaction;
A product of lime and nitric acid
Item
A small part that can be considered separately from the whole;
It was perfect in all details
Product
A quantity obtained by multiplication;
The product of 2 and 3 is 6
Item
An isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole;
Several of the details are similar
A point of information
Product
The set of elements common to two or more sets;
The set of red hats is the intersection of the set of hats and the set of red things
Item
An individual instance of a type of symbol;
The word`error' contains three tokens of `r'
Product
A mathematical quantity obtained from two or more quantities.
The product of 3 and 4 is 12.
Item
(used when listing or enumerating items) also;
A length of chain, item a hook
Product
Something created through artistic effort.
His latest movie is a fine product of cinematic art.
FAQs
Is a product always commercially sold?
Not always, but a product typically has a commercial intent or value.
Can "item" denote a single unit in a list?
Yes, an "item" can refer to an individual entry on a list.
Can a song be considered a product?
Yes, a song, being the result of artistic effort, can be termed a product.
Is an apple in a store an item or a product?
It's both; it's an item in your shopping list and a product of agriculture.
Can services be termed as products?
Yes, services, especially when commercialized, can be considered products.
How does "item" relate to fashion?
In fashion, "item" might refer to a specific piece or accessory, like an "item of clothing."
Are all items products?
No, while all products can be items, not all items are products.
How does "product" relate to mathematics?
In mathematics, a "product" is the result of multiplying two or more numbers.
Can "product" refer to the outcome of an educational system?
Yes, someone can be described as a "product" of a particular school or system, implying they were shaped by it.
Can an "item" be intangible?
While commonly referring to tangible objects, "item" can also denote intangible subjects, especially in contexts like agendas or news.
Can "item" refer to a topic in a discussion?
Yes, "item" can refer to a specific subject or topic of consideration.
Does "item" have a plural form?
Yes, the plural form of "item" is "items."
Can software be considered a product?
Yes, software is often termed a product as it's developed for users or customers.
Do all products have a commercial value?
While products typically imply commercial intent, they might not always have a direct commercial value.
Is every entry in a database an item?
Typically, each individual entry in a database can be referred to as an item.
Is a painting in a gallery a product?
Yes, a painting, being an outcome of artistic creation, can be viewed as a product.
Is there a limit to the size or value for something to be called an item?
No, "item" is a neutral term and can refer to objects of any size or value.
Is every manufactured good a product?
Yes, typically anything manufactured, especially with the intent of sale, is considered a product.
Can "item" refer to a clause in a contract?
Yes, "item" can refer to specific provisions or clauses in a document.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
