Buyers want to pay the lowest price they can get for merchandise. Sellers seek the highest price they can get for their wares.
Stock markets quote both sides of the trade.
At any point in time, a security is quoted at the bid, the price buyers are willing to pay, and the ask, the price at which sellers are willing to sell. The ask also is referred to as the offer. The best bid is simply the highest price that buyers are willing to pay for the stock. The best ask is the lowest price at which sellers are disposed to sell. The combination of the best bid and ask for a given security is also referred to as the inside market or the inside quote.