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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Wall Street Journal - Amazon is falling behind on its promise to add 2,500 jobs at its Virginia headquarters in exchange for tax subsidies—losing hundreds of Arlington workers last year.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
Abigail follows a team of criminals — played by Melissa Barrera, Cloud, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett and Kevin Durand — who take a job to kidnap a wealthy man's daughter in exchange for a significant ransom.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
In exchange for dropping the lawsuit, Universal could’ve offered to forgo attorneys fees in the settlement.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024
In January 2018 — years after Iran signed a deal with the United States and others to stop developing nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting economic sanctions — Israeli secret agents raided a storage facility in Tehran and stole tens of thousands of documents relating to Iran’s nuclear program.
—Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Later, a superseding indictment alleged Menendez and his wife conspired to act as a foreign agent for Egypt and accepted expensive gifts in exchange for favorable comments about Qatar.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024
Image Experts say a variety of actors are behind most cyberattacks, including criminals trying to hold data in exchange for a lucrative ransom and protesters who want to highlight a specific cause.
—Tariq Panja, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
In those exchanges, the Ukrainians began to focus on the issue that would become central to their vision of the endgame for the war: security guarantees that would oblige other states to come to Ukraine’s defense if Russia attacked again in the future.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
To answer what Miss Manners believes to be your real question: As exchanging presents is customary in your family, that tradition should not have been canceled along with the party.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Four years ago, Cedric Gray exchanged touchdown catches for interceptions.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
Iranian officials exchanged a flurry of messages with Washington and Middle East regional capitals before the attack, giving everyone time to prepare defensive systems.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024
The complaint states Ford fled the scene without exchanging his information.
—The Enquirer, 12 Apr. 2024
Two factions appeared to be exchanging gunfire in the park, and police officers saw four people fleeing the scene, Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel told reporters.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Police believe two groups in the park started exchanging gunfire.
—John Miller, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The latest proposal under discussion would see 40 Israeli hostages exchanged for 900 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, 100 of whom are serving terrorism sentences, according to a former Egyptian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the talks.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
On the show, the fourth-place candidate in the District 2 race, James Torres, said that following the Nov. 7 election, Covo had offered both him and Leal positions in exchange for their endorsements.
—Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Wall Street Journal - Amazon is falling behind on its promise to add 2,500 jobs at its Virginia headquarters in exchange for tax subsidies—losing hundreds of Arlington workers last year.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
Abigail follows a team of criminals — played by Melissa Barrera, Cloud, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett and Kevin Durand — who take a job to kidnap a wealthy man's daughter in exchange for a significant ransom.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
In exchange for dropping the lawsuit, Universal could’ve offered to forgo attorneys fees in the settlement.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024
In January 2018 — years after Iran signed a deal with the United States and others to stop developing nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting economic sanctions — Israeli secret agents raided a storage facility in Tehran and stole tens of thousands of documents relating to Iran’s nuclear program.
—Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Later, a superseding indictment alleged Menendez and his wife conspired to act as a foreign agent for Egypt and accepted expensive gifts in exchange for favorable comments about Qatar.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024
Image Experts say a variety of actors are behind most cyberattacks, including criminals trying to hold data in exchange for a lucrative ransom and protesters who want to highlight a specific cause.
—Tariq Panja, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
In those exchanges, the Ukrainians began to focus on the issue that would become central to their vision of the endgame for the war: security guarantees that would oblige other states to come to Ukraine’s defense if Russia attacked again in the future.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Verb
In 2022, the couple exchanged vows for the second time in a lavish wedding in New York City.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
To answer what Miss Manners believes to be your real question: As exchanging presents is customary in your family, that tradition should not have been canceled along with the party.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Four years ago, Cedric Gray exchanged touchdown catches for interceptions.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
Iranian officials exchanged a flurry of messages with Washington and Middle East regional capitals before the attack, giving everyone time to prepare defensive systems.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024
The complaint states Ford fled the scene without exchanging his information.
—The Enquirer, 12 Apr. 2024
Two factions appeared to be exchanging gunfire in the park, and police officers saw four people fleeing the scene, Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel told reporters.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Police believe two groups in the park started exchanging gunfire.
—John Miller, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The latest proposal under discussion would see 40 Israeli hostages exchanged for 900 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, 100 of whom are serving terrorism sentences, according to a former Egyptian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the talks.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near exchange
Cite this Entry
“Exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exchange. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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