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
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.
The site lies along ancient trade routes and shows evidence of habitation dating back thousands of years, the same source said. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 The Torkham border crossing, one of two main trade routes between the two countries, did not open on Sunday at its usual time of 8 am. NPR, 12 Oct. 2025 Golden Eagle Silk Road Express The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express winds through stunning Asian landscapes along the most famous ancient trade route in world history. Eleanor Flagler Hardy, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025 The trade war has impacted volumes from China to the U.S., with some other Asia to U.S. trade routes experiencing year-over-year declines as high as 20%. Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trade route

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trade route was in 1828

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trade route.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20route. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

trade route

noun
1
: one of the sea-lanes used by merchant ships
2
: a route followed by traders (as in caravans)

More from Merriam-Webster on trade route

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!