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

The battles threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital global trade route, and are increasingly entangled with regional conflicts involving Iran and Saudi Arabia. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

As different countries and blocs roll out regulations related to deforestation and forest-sourcing, trade routes have to adapt to satisfy each area. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Restrictions on shipping through key global trade routes are stoking concerns of a coming worldwide food-price shock, with poor countries particularly ill prepared. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Taken together, the transport provisions point to an effort to build physical trade routes that are less dependent on traditional European corridors. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 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)