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

Unlike Like New’s stateside operation, the Canadian program will not initially combine peer-to-peer listings with permanent mail-in and in-store trade-in channels—or inventory recovered from Lululemon’s own operations. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Aug. 2026

The Flip 8 can be yours for up to $400 off with an applicable trade-in, or get you a $100 Samsung e-certificate without one. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

This weekend marks Devers’ first return to Fenway Park since being traded in the middle of last season. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Chris Hunter, chief executive of Maven Trading, said on the On The Margin podcast, describing users who optimize against simulated accounts rather than trade in them. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 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