exchange

1 of 2

noun

ex·​change iks-ˈchānj  ˈeks-ˌchānj 

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

(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 (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

iks-ˌchān-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

exchangeable

iks-ˈchān-jə-bəl 

adjective

exchanger

iks-ˈchān-jər 

ˈeks-ˌchān-

noun

Phrases

in exchange

: as a substitute

Synonyms

Noun

• swap
• trade
• barter
• commutation
• back-and-forth
• dealing
• bargaining

Verb

• trade
• swap
• substitute
• change

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

In the email exchange with University of Texas faculty who were preparing a grant application for a federal methane-reduction program, Pruett blamed the increases on inadequate infrastructure to capture the gas. —ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025

Early last month, Walt Disney's ESPN and the NFL agreed to a deal in which Disney would acquire the NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the distribution rights to NFL RedZone in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN. —Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025

Verb

Carter then walked toward the Cowboys’ huddle, leading to the two exchanging words and Carter spitting on Prescott. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

After a few words were exchanged, Carter spit at the bottom of Prescott’s neck. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing exchange

• base exchange
• bill of exchange
• exchange fire
• exchange rate
• exchange student
• foreign exchange
• ion exchange
• ion exchange resin
• medium of exchange
• post exchange
• rate of exchange
• stock exchange

Rhymes for exchange

• arrange
• derange
• estrange
• midrange
• change
• grange
• mange
• range
• strange
• interchange
• rearrange

Kids Definition

exchange

1 of 2 noun

ex·​change iks-ˈchānj  ˈeks-ˌchānj 

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

iks-ˌchān-jə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

exchangeable

iks-ˈchān-jə-bəl 

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