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.
He was attracted to the party’s support for free trade, the rule of law and fiscal conservatism. Jade Tran, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2025 The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement, established in 1985, was the first free trade agreement entered into by the United States and generates billions of dollars in Israeli investment in the U.S. economy annually. Alma Hernandez, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025 The United States has agreed in principle to a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh, according to one of the country’s top officials. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 21 May 2025 Zelensky offers Trump free trade agreement Ukraine's top trade official said President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a free trade agreement with the U.S. in a letter to President Donald Trump. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Free trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20trade. Accessed 29 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!