free trade

noun

: trade based on the unrestricted international exchange of goods with tariffs used only as a source of revenue

Examples of free trade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, economic nationalism is becoming a much more common refrain than free trade. John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025 The meeting of the bloc of mostly developing nations comes as South Korea mulls joining the CPTPP, a pan-Pacific free trade group, while European officials head to New Delhi for talks on deepening economic ties and India looks to tighten technological cooperation with Singapore. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025 And that, of course, included free trade. Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 To me, more pragmatism means moving away from the corrupt, capricious policies of the current administration, such as crony capitalism that imposes bogus tariffs on free trade, punishing leaders and countries the president dislikes while favoring those who flatter him. Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for free trade

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free trade was in 1766

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Cite this Entry

“Free trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20trade. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

free trade

noun
: trade between nations without restrictions (as high taxes on imports)

More from Merriam-Webster on free trade

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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