foreign exchange

noun

1

: a process of settling accounts or debts between persons residing in different countries

2

: foreign currency or current short-term credit instruments payable in such currency

Examples of foreign exchange in a Sentence

Our country has to export more in order to earn more foreign exchange.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bank grew from the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, when Chinese officials considered how best to use the country’s growing foreign exchange reserves. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025

That fragile recovery has been supported by an IMF bailout and a rebound in exports—particularly apparel, which has been a critical source of foreign exchange. —Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 2 Dec. 2025

Crude oil used to be the source of more than 90% of Venezuela’s foreign exchange. —Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025

This formula to shore up the peso had been tried before and risked depleting foreign exchange reserves by selling too many dollars to boost the peso’s value. —María Victoria Murillo, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for foreign exchange

• arrange
• derange
• estrange
• midrange
• change
• grange
• mange
• range
• strange
• interchange
• rearrange