trade

¹trade

noun \ˈtrād\

Definition of TRADE

1

a obsolete : a path traversed : way b archaic : a track or trail left by a person or animal : tread 1

2

: a customary course of action : practice <thy sin's not accidental, but a trade — Shakespeare>

3

a : the business or work in which one engages regularly : occupation b : an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill : craft c : the persons engaged in an occupation, business, or industry

4

a obsolete : dealings between persons or groups b (1) : the business of buying and selling or bartering commodities : commerce (2) : business, market <novelties for the tourist trade> <did a good trade in small appliances>

5

a : an act or instance of trading : transaction; also : an exchange of property usually without use of money b : a firm's customers : clientele c : the group of firms engaged in a business or industry

6

: trade wind —usually used in plural

7

: a publication intended for persons in the entertainment business —usually used in plural

Examples of TRADE

1. the trade between the two countries
2. Trade accounts for half of our gross national product.
3. The Tigers made a few good trades this season and picked up some promising players.

Origin of TRADE

Middle English, from Middle Low German; akin to Old High German trata track, course, Old English tredan to tread

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TRADE

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

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

Near Antonyms: avocation, hobby, pursuit

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See Synonym Discussion at business

Rhymes with TRADE

Ade, aid, aide, blade, braid, cade, clade, fade, glade, grade, jade, lade, made, maid, paid, raid, rayed, shade, spade, stade, staid, suede, wade