trade route

noun

1

: one of the sea-lanes ordinarily used by merchant ships

2

: a route followed by traders (as in caravans)

Examples of trade route in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These technologies could help archaeologists investigate ancient Maritime Silk Road trade routes and reach underwater sites that are difficult or dangerous for human divers to explore. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

Beijing claims the busy waterway, a key global trade route, virtually in its entirety. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

After each of these campaigns, the United States and its partners established maritime coalitions to protect these vital seaborne trade routes. — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026

Diez points to the discovery of green obsidian beads as an indication that Teteles, which is along a trade route, was connected to the much larger Mesoamerican city Teotihuacan, since that city controlled a quarry where the obsidian originated. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trade route

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

Kids Definition

trade route

noun

1

: one of the sea-lanes used by merchant ships

2

: a route followed by traders (as in caravans)