exchange

¹ex·change

noun, often attributive \iks-ˈchānj, ˈeks-ˌ\

Definition of EXCHANGE

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 (2) : exchange rate (3) : the amount of the difference in value between two currencies or between values of a particular currency at two places c : instruments (as checks or bills of exchange) presented in a clearinghouse for settlement

5

: a place where things or services are exchanged: 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

— in exchange

: as a substitute

Examples of EXCHANGE

1. an even exchange of property
2. an angry exchange of insults
3. a useful exchange of information
4. threats of a nuclear exchange

Origin of EXCHANGE

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: 14th century

Related to EXCHANGE

Synonyms: back-and-forth, barter, 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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with EXCHANGE

arrange, chump change, derange, downrange, estrange, free-range, gearchange, home range, long-range, outrange, sea change, short-range, shortchange, small change