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.
In Chang’An, China, in the year 731, Han Yu shares a special connection with animals and dreams of someday becoming a merchant and traveling the trade routes. Caroline Carlson september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025 The new port city, formerly known as Duba port, has a strategic location in one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 Its position on one of the region’s most important trade routes cements Armenia as both an origin point of winemaking and a gateway to its spread across Europe and Asia. Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 This need for speed has also expanded air freight volumes on other trade routes. Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 7 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 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

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