fair-trade

1 of 2

verb

ˈfer-ˈtrād 

fair-traded; fair-trading; fair-trades

transitive verb

: to market (a commodity) in compliance with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement

fair trader noun

fair trade

2 of 2

noun

1

: trade in conformity with a fair-trade agreement

2

: a movement whose goal is to help producers in developing countries to get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices

Examples of fair-trade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ray Major, economist YES: The vessel levy is another tool in the tool box that the U.S. can use to encourage China and other countries to adopt a more fair trade policy. —Phillip Molnar, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

Handcrafted by artisans around the world, fair trade UNICEF Market gifts offer another way to support UNICEF. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Their duvets are made of organic, fair trade cotton and their down-alternative fill is made in the US. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2025

President Trump wants peace, but also wants fair trade and more self-reliance for the American economy. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1947, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fair-trade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

fair trade

noun

1

: trade conforming to a fair trade agreement

2

: a movement that aims to help producers in developing countries get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices

fair trade verb

Legal Definition

fair-trade

transitive verb

: to market (a commodity) in compliance with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement

fair trade noun

fair trader noun