: an item of merchandise (such as an automobile or refrigerator) taken as payment or part payment for a purchase
traded in; trading in; trades in
1
: to turn in as payment or part payment for a purchase or bill
trade the old car in on a new one
2
Examples of trade-in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Apple, for example, offers a credit toward a future purchase if your trade-in is current enough.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
But now the couple is looking forward to trading in their four wheels for a stationary setup.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trade-in
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.
Noun
Also, 27% of these trade-ins carried $10,000 or more in negative equity, also a record high.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Apple, for example, offers a credit toward a future purchase if your trade-in is current enough.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
Since the war began, trading in the futures markets has been heavy and, sometimes, frenetic.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
But now the couple is looking forward to trading in their four wheels for a stationary setup.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trade-in
Cite this Entry
“Trade-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade-in. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
