trade-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrād-ˌin 

: an item of merchandise (such as an automobile or refrigerator) taken as payment or part payment for a purchase

trade in

2 of 2

verb

traded in; trading in; trades in

transitive verb

1

: to turn in as payment or part payment for a purchase or bill

trade the old car in on a new one

2

: exchange sense 2

Examples of trade-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to 9to5Mac, Apple’s latest trade-in value adjustments cover iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watches, and even some Android phones. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026

For those who want to upgrade to the super-powered phones Ned and Peter use in the movie, Ned’s Z Fold8 is available for pre-order now, with up to $1,200 in instant trade-in credit or $200 Samsung credit without a trade in. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Verb

Coffee has become one of the best trades in the market lately, outpacing even artificial intelligence. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

None of it stopped the Browns from trading for Watson in what might be the worst trade in NFL history. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trade-in

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• superfine
• underpin
• vietminh
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin

Kids Definition

trade-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈtrād-ˌin

: something given in trade usually as part payment for a purchase

trade in

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)trād-ˈin

: to turn in as a payment or part payment for a purchase