exchange
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.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
See Examples of EXCHANGE
- an even exchange of property
- an angry exchange of insults
- a useful exchange of information
- 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
Rhymes with EXCHANGE
2exchange
verbex·changedex·chang·ing
Definition of EXCHANGE
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
— ex·change·abil·i·ty \iks-ˌchān-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— ex·change·able \iks-ˈchān-jə-bəl\ adjective
— ex·chang·er \iks-ˈchān-jər, eks-ˌ\ noun
Examples of EXCHANGE
- 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.
First Known Use of EXCHANGE
15th century
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