plural exchanges
1
: an occurrence in which people give things of similar value to each other : the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another thing
the exchange [=exchanging] of goods
an exchange of goods
an exchange of prisoners
an even/fair exchange of property
2
a
: an occurrence in which people direct something at each other
an exchange of glances
an angry exchange of insults
an exchange of blows [=a fistfight]
b
: an occurrence in which people give information to each other
a useful exchange of information/knowledge/ideas
c
: an occurrence in which people use weapons against each other
an exchange of gunfire
threats of a nuclear exchange
3
: an occurrence in which people talk to each other for a short time : a brief conversation
a friendly exchange
especially
: an angry conversation
a heated exchange
a bitter exchange
4
a
: a place where things or services are traded
the student book exchange
b
: an office or building in which telephone calls are connected
a telephone exchange
exchanges; exchanged; exchanging
1
: to give something and receive something in return
We exchanged addresses and promised we'd write each other often.
We exchange gifts [=give gifts to each other] at the holidays.
These coupons can be exchanged for food.
I'll exchange [=trade, swap] my orange for your pear.
2
: to direct (words, looks, etc.) at each other
They exchanged glances. [=they looked quickly at each other]
They exchanged greetings [=they greeted each other] when they met.
They exchanged insults/blows. [=they insulted/hit each other]
soldiers exchanging fire [=shooting at each other]
3
: to return (a product) to a store and have it replaced by another product : to trade (something that has been purchased) for something else
I'd like to exchange this sweater for a smaller one.
The vase had a crack in it, so he exchanged it (for an unbroken one).
Can I exchange this vase? = Can you exchange this cracked vase for me?
Cite this Entry
“Exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/exchange. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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