exchange

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another : trade
an exchange of prisoners
2
a
: the act or process of substituting one thing for another
b
: reciprocal giving and receiving
3
: something offered, given, or received in an exchange
4
a
: funds payable currently at a distant point either in a foreign currency or in domestic currency
b(1)
: interchange or conversion of the money of two countries or of current and uncurrent money with allowance for difference in value
(3)
: the amount of the difference in value between two currencies or between values of a particular currency at two places
c
: instruments (such as checks or bills of exchange) presented in a clearinghouse for settlement
5
: a place where things or services are exchanged: such as
a
: an organized market or center for trading in securities or commodities
b
: a store or shop specializing in merchandise usually of a particular type
c
: a cooperative store or society
d
: a central office in which telephone lines are connected to permit communication

exchange

2 of 2

verb

exchanged; exchanging

transitive verb

1
a
: to part with, give, or transfer in consideration of something received as an equivalent
b
: to have replaced by other merchandise
exchanged the shirt for one in a larger size
2
: to part with for a substitute
exchanging future security for immediate pleasure
3
: to give and receive reciprocally
exchange gifts

intransitive verb

1
: to pass or become received in exchange
2
: to engage in an exchange
exchangeability noun
exchangeable adjective
exchanger
iks-ˈchān-jər How to pronounce exchange (audio)
ˈeks-ˌchān-
noun
Phrases
in exchange
: as a substitute

Examples of exchange in a Sentence

Noun an even exchange of property an angry exchange of insults a useful exchange of information threats of a nuclear exchange Verb We exchanged addresses and promised we'd write each other often. These coupons can be exchanged for food. I'd like to exchange this sweater for a smaller one.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The exchange caused moviegoers to voice their confusion online, causing Yeoh to clear the air in an Instagram post on Monday. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 Republicans seized on an exchange between Mr. Biden and the ghostwriter of his book. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 The exchange sites would also have offered access to substance abuse treatment. Mitch Smith, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The group raises money by robbing banks and money exchange shops, as well as smuggling weapons, counterfeiting currencies and ransom operations, according to the U.N. Al-Batarfi took over as the head of the branch in February 2020. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2024 With those first exchanges of notes, writing became a regular part of life for Mr. Bautista, who is a poet and visual artist and served 21 years in Oregon prisons on assault convictions. Grant Stringer, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 Companies only raised about $14 billion via IPOs on European exchanges last year, a 36% drop from the almost $22 billion raised in 2022, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Joe Easton, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 In exchange for promoting the platforms, the influencers earn a cut of each sale. Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2024 After the heated on-air exchange, Osbourne was accused of racist and homophobic behavior behind the scenes of The Talk. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
Upon reaching David, the couple exchanged a kiss, a moment Vogue captured and shared on their Instagram. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 The Kia owner tried to exchange insurance information. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024 Two Hearts, Unbroken Dr. Amundson and Mr. Newell did not exchange rings again at their second wedding. Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Virginia's first 420 Wedding The festival will also host Virginia's first 420 wedding at Misty Mountain Camp Resort, where Dawn and Seth, winners of our 420 Wedding Contest, will exchange vows in a symbolic ceremony at 4:20 PM on April 20th. Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Before that, the shooter and his friend had exchanged thousands of messages. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 Gunfire was also exchanged at the central bank, main airport and national soccer stadium, as a powerful gang leader directly challenged the nation's unpopular prime minister. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Meta, which owns the only two chat apps that fall under the rules, is expected to come up with a proposal on how Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp users can exchange text messages, videos, and images. Kelvin Chan, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024 Reuters and Al Jazeera reported last week that Hamas was reviewing a draft proposal for an initial ceasefire lasting roughly six weeks, during which 40 Israeli hostages would be exchanged for 400 Palestinian prisoners. Tara John, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exchange.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English exchaunge, from Anglo-French eschange, from eschanger to exchange, from Vulgar Latin *excambiare, from Latin ex- + cambiare to exchange — more at change

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exchange was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near exchange

Cite this Entry

“Exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exchange. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

exchange

1 of 2 noun
1
: a giving or taking of one thing in return for another : trade
2
a
: the act of substituting one thing for another
3
a
: a place where things or services are exchanged
a stock exchange
b
: a central office in which telephone lines are connected to permit communication

exchange

2 of 2 verb
exchanged; exchanging
: to give in exchange : trade, swap
exchangeability noun
exchangeable adjective
exchanger noun

Legal Definition

exchange

noun
ex·​change
1
a
: a giving of something of value (as real property) in return for something of equal value (as money or property of a like kind)
b
in the civil law of Louisiana : a giving of something of value in return for something of equal value except money compare sale
2
: an organized market or center for trading in securities or commodities

More from Merriam-Webster on exchange

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