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

• back-and-forth
• barter
• commutation
• dicker
• quid pro quo
• swap
• trade
• trade-off
• truck

Verb

• change
• commute
• shift
• substitute
• swap
• switch
• trade

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

While in Spain, Belly and Conrad exchange handwritten letters, which help to re-establish their relationship. —Alexandra Hurtado, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Le Monde reports that French travelers visiting the U.S. are adapting to the fact that the cost of everything has increased by at least 25% in the past few years by staying for a shorter period, using home exchange sites, plus filling up on a large breakfast, and then buying takeaway sandwiches. —Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Verb

Gifts were exchanged, and the Pope wished the King and Queen a happy 20th wedding anniversary, which fell on the same day as their meeting. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Instead, tickets for Saturday’s game can be exchanged — online only — for a similar regular season game. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 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