First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1exchange
noun, ex·change often attributive \iks-ˈchānj, ˈeks-ˌ\
: 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
: an occurrence in which people direct something at each other
: an occurrence in which people give information to each other
Full Definition of EXCHANGE
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 (2) : exchange rate (3) : the amount of the difference in value between two currencies or between values of a particular currency at two places c : instruments (as checks or bills of exchange) presented in a clearinghouse for settlement
5
: a place where things or services are exchanged: 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
— in exchange
: as a substitute
See exchange defined for English-language learners
See exchange defined for kids
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Origin of EXCHANGE
Middle English exchaunge, from Anglo-French eschange, from eschanger to exchange, from Vulgar Latin *excambiare, from Latin ex- + cambiare to exchange — more at change
Related to EXCHANGE
- Synonyms
- back-and-forth, barter, commutation, dicker, quid pro quo, swap, trade, trade-off, truck
Rhymes with EXCHANGE
2exchange
verb
: to give something and receive something in return
: to direct (words, looks, etc.) at each other
: to return (a product) to a store and have it replaced by another product : to trade (something that has been purchased) for something else
ex·changedex·chang·ing
Full Definition of EXCHANGE
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
— ex·change·abil·i·ty \iks-ˌchān-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— ex·change·able \iks-ˈchān-jə-bəl\ adjective
— ex·chang·er \iks-ˈchān-jər, eks-ˌ\ noun
See exchange defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EXCHANGE
15th century
EXCHANGE Defined for Kids
1exchange
noun ex·change \iks-ˈchānj\
Definition of EXCHANGE for Kids
1
: an act of giving or taking of one thing in return for another : trade <a fair exchange>
2
: a place where goods or services are exchanged
3
: the act of giving and receiving between two groups <an exchange of ideas>
2exchange
verb
ex·changedex·chang·ing
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