trade-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrād-ˌin 

: an item of merchandise (such as an automobile or refrigerator) taken as payment or part payment for a purchase

trade in

2 of 2

verb

traded in; trading in; trades in

transitive verb

1

: to turn in as payment or part payment for a purchase or bill

trade the old car in on a new one

2

: exchange sense 2

Examples of trade-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These trade-ins could include devices from Apple itself, Google, Motorola, or Samsung that have been active on an account for at least 60 days. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Edmunds says nearly 30% of trade-ins toward new cars were underwater in the second quarter, with people owing an average of almost $7,000 more than their cars were worth. — Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

The pair share trade in many of the same sectors, including energy, vehicles, heavy machinery, aircraft, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, furniture, clothing and a host of foods and drinks. — Jenni Reid,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Kevin Huerter was traded in back-to-back seasons and will get a full offseason to build familiarity after playing a total of 30 games with the Pistons in the regular season and playoffs. — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trade-in

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• superfine
• underpin
• vietminh
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin

Kids Definition

trade-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈtrād-ˌin

: something given in trade usually as part payment for a purchase

trade in

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)trād-ˈin

: to turn in as a payment or part payment for a purchase