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

Apple could still handle the iPhone differently by raising only Pro model prices, adjusting storage tiers, leaning on carrier promotions or pushing trade-in offers harder to soften the blow. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

Instead American shoppers got up to $900 trade-in, or $150 store credit with no trade-in. — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Verb

In 2026 the government cashed in, selling a 15% stake in the largest block trade in the history of the Nairobi exchange and retaining 20%. — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

This has become one of the most crowded trades in recent memory in technology with the masses long semis and short software. — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 8 July 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