First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1barter
verb bar·ter \ˈbär-tər\
: to exchange things (such as products or services) for other things instead of for money
Full Definition of BARTER
intransitive verb
: to trade by exchanging one commodity for another
transitive verb
: to trade or exchange by or as if by bartering
— bar·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun
See barter defined for English-language learners
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Origin of BARTER
Middle English bartren, from Anglo-French *bareter to do business, exchange, alteration of Old French barater — more at barratry
Other Business Terms
2barter
noun
: a system in which goods or services are exchanged for other goods or services instead of for money
: goods or services that are exchanged for other goods or services
Full Definition of BARTER
1
: the act or practice of carrying on trade by bartering
2
: the thing given in exchange in bartering
See barter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BARTER
15th century
Related to BARTER
- Synonyms
- back-and-forth, exchange, commutation, dicker, quid pro quo, swap, trade, trade-off, truck
Other Business Terms
BARTERING Defined for Kids
1barter
verb bar·ter \ˈbär-tər\
bar·teredbar·ter·ing
Definition of BARTER for Kids
: to trade by exchanging one thing for another without the use of money
— bar·ter·er \ˈbär-tər-ər\ noun
2barter
noun
Definition of BARTER for Kids
: the trade of one thing for another
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