barter

¹bar·ter

verb \ˈbär-tər\

Definition of BARTER

intransitive verb

: to trade by exchanging one commodity for another

transitive verb

: to trade or exchange by or as if by bartering

— bar·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

Origin of BARTER

Middle English bartren, from Anglo-French *bareter to do business, exchange, alteration of Old French barater — more at barratry

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Rhymes with BARTER

carter, charter, darter, garter, martyr, starter, tartar

²barter

noun

Definition of BARTER

1

: the act or practice of carrying on trade by bartering

2

: the thing given in exchange in bartering

Examples of BARTER

1. The tribes use a system of barter.
2. The explorers used blankets and other supplies for barter to get food from the native people.

First Known Use of BARTER

15th century

Related to BARTER

Synonyms

back-and-forth, exchange, commutation, dicker, quid pro quo, swap, trade, trade-off, truck

Related Words

replacement, substitution; reciprocation, recompense, requital; bargain, deal, horse trade, negotiation, transaction; bargaining, dealing, dickering, haggling, horse trading; logrolling

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Rhymes with BARTER

carter, charter, garter, martyr, starter, tartar

barter

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Direct exchange of goods or services without the use of money or any other intervening medium of exchange. Barter is conducted either according to established rates of exchange or by bargaining. Barter is common among preliterate societies, particularly in those communities with some developed form of market. Goods may be bartered within a group as well as between groups, although gift exchange probably accounts for most intragroup trade, particularly in small and relatively simple societies. See also currency.