ex·change
iks-ˈchānj 
ˈeks-ˌchānj
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)
(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
exchanged; exchanging
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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023
The longtime Democratic senator is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes in exchange for using his power and influence to enrich and protect three New Jersey businessmen and benefit Egypt's government through the approval of arms sales.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2023
Riyadh is seeking concessions from the US in exchange for its potential recognition of Israel in the form of security guarantees and help with its civilian nuclear program, CNN has reported.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023
The Rams on Wednesday traded the running back and a conditional seventh round draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023
The video of the Sept. 15 exchange between the man and the officers, which appears to have been recorded from a camera outside the home, has been viewed more than 730,000 times since it was posted on TikTok over the weekend.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
The hearing was as much an exercise in political combat as an exchange of information.
—Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
In exchange for those pleas, prosecutors in the D.C. attorney general’s office agreed not to charge Gregory with any additional crimes related to this arrest, including a carjacking offense, and agreed not to seek secure detention.
—Emily Davies, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
Prigozhin’s demise has raised questions about the future of Wagner’s operations in Africa, where the mercenary group has used brutal tactics to prop up militant groups and authoritarian regimes in exchange for mineral riches.
—Victoria Butenko, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Alice Newell-Hanson, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
Advertisement While other speed dating events tend to connect people via email afterward, McGill encouraged participants to exchange contact information then or mingle at the bar.
—Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023
The outdoor ceremony, where the couple exchanged sweet handwritten vows, was held at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
Living with Edith was unequivocally good, even if the notion of exchanging cash for a kid sounds contemptible.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2023
Industry leaders, influencers and creators will meet to exchange knowledge and inspiration in the content creation industry.
—Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 19 Sep. 2023
The driver of one of the cars left the scene without exchanging insurance information.
—cleveland, 19 Sep. 2023
Copies of private messages exchanged between Fletcher and Figueroa appeared to show the MTS board chair seeking attention and interactions with the public relations specialist.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
Emotions ran hot, and fighting words were exchanged by both sides.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2023
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Noun
The United States is making progress toward a landmark agreement that would see Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel in exchange for a U.S. defense pact and help developing its own civilian nuclear program, two diplomatic sources told NBC News.
—Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023
The longtime Democratic senator is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes in exchange for using his power and influence to enrich and protect three New Jersey businessmen and benefit Egypt's government through the approval of arms sales.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2023
Riyadh is seeking concessions from the US in exchange for its potential recognition of Israel in the form of security guarantees and help with its civilian nuclear program, CNN has reported.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023
The Rams on Wednesday traded the running back and a conditional seventh round draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023
The video of the Sept. 15 exchange between the man and the officers, which appears to have been recorded from a camera outside the home, has been viewed more than 730,000 times since it was posted on TikTok over the weekend.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
The hearing was as much an exercise in political combat as an exchange of information.
—Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
In exchange for those pleas, prosecutors in the D.C. attorney general’s office agreed not to charge Gregory with any additional crimes related to this arrest, including a carjacking offense, and agreed not to seek secure detention.
—Emily Davies, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
Prigozhin’s demise has raised questions about the future of Wagner’s operations in Africa, where the mercenary group has used brutal tactics to prop up militant groups and authoritarian regimes in exchange for mineral riches.
—Victoria Butenko, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Verb
The architects and artist exchanged images of rooms by the midcentury Finnish designer Alvar Aalto, which partially inspired the recurrence of simple materials like white oak and cork throughout the house.
—Alice Newell-Hanson, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
Advertisement While other speed dating events tend to connect people via email afterward, McGill encouraged participants to exchange contact information then or mingle at the bar.
—Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023
The outdoor ceremony, where the couple exchanged sweet handwritten vows, was held at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
Living with Edith was unequivocally good, even if the notion of exchanging cash for a kid sounds contemptible.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2023
Industry leaders, influencers and creators will meet to exchange knowledge and inspiration in the content creation industry.
—Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 19 Sep. 2023
The driver of one of the cars left the scene without exchanging insurance information.
—cleveland, 19 Sep. 2023
Copies of private messages exchanged between Fletcher and Figueroa appeared to show the MTS board chair seeking attention and interactions with the public relations specialist.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
Emotions ran hot, and fighting words were exchanged by both sides.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exchange.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of exchange was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing exchange
Dictionary Entries Near exchange
Cite this Entry
“Exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exchange. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
exchange
1 of 2 noun
ex·change
iks-ˈchānj
ˈeks-ˌchānj
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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on exchange
Nglish: Translation of exchange for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of exchange for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exchange
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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