exchange

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another : trade
an exchange of prisoners
2
a
: the act or process of substituting one thing for another
b
: reciprocal giving and receiving
3
: something offered, given, or received in an exchange
4
a
: funds payable currently at a distant point either in a foreign currency or in domestic currency
b(1)
: interchange or conversion of the money of two countries or of current and uncurrent money with allowance for difference in value
(3)
: the amount of the difference in value between two currencies or between values of a particular currency at two places
c
: instruments (such as checks or bills of exchange) presented in a clearinghouse for settlement
5
: a place where things or services are exchanged: such as
a
: an organized market or center for trading in securities or commodities
b
: a store or shop specializing in merchandise usually of a particular type
c
: a cooperative store or society
d
: a central office in which telephone lines are connected to permit communication

exchange

2 of 2

verb

exchanged; exchanging

transitive verb

1
a
: to part with, give, or transfer in consideration of something received as an equivalent
b
: to have replaced by other merchandise
exchanged the shirt for one in a larger size
2
: to part with for a substitute
exchanging future security for immediate pleasure
3
: to give and receive reciprocally
exchange gifts

intransitive verb

1
: to pass or become received in exchange
2
: to engage in an exchange
exchangeability noun
exchangeable adjective
exchanger
iks-ˈchān-jər How to pronounce exchange (audio)
ˈeks-ˌchān-
noun
Phrases
in exchange
: as a substitute

Examples of exchange in a Sentence

Noun an even exchange of property an angry exchange of insults a useful exchange of information threats of a nuclear exchange Verb We exchanged addresses and promised we'd write each other often. These coupons can be exchanged for food. I'd like to exchange this sweater for a smaller one.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Sony picked up domestic rights in exchange for a distribution fee. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2024 He was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Panthers this past offseason, with the Steelers sending Johnson and a seventh-round pick to Carolina in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
Imagine exchanging vows on the powdery white sands of Playa Bávaro, conveniently situated on the Lopesan premises and globally declared as one of the best beaches in the world by UNESCO. Lopesan Costa Bavaro Contributor, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 The presidential campaigns have exchanged barbs about each other's rally sizes. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exchange 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English exchaunge, from Anglo-French eschange, from eschanger to exchange, from Vulgar Latin *excambiare, from Latin ex- + cambiare to exchange — more at change

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exchange was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near exchange

Cite this Entry

“Exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exchange. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

exchange

1 of 2 noun
1
: a giving or taking of one thing in return for another : trade
2
a
: the act of substituting one thing for another
3
a
: a place where things or services are exchanged
a stock exchange
b
: a central office in which telephone lines are connected to permit communication

exchange

2 of 2 verb
exchanged; exchanging
: to give in exchange : trade, swap
exchangeability noun
exchangeable adjective
exchanger noun

Legal Definition

exchange

noun
ex·​change
1
a
: a giving of something of value (as real property) in return for something of equal value (as money or property of a like kind)
b
in the civil law of Louisiana : a giving of something of value in return for something of equal value except money compare sale
2
: an organized market or center for trading in securities or commodities

More from Merriam-Webster on exchange

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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