trade
1 of 3noun
ˈtrād 
1
a(1)
: the business of buying and selling or bartering commodities : commerce
(2)
: business, market
novelties for the tourist trade
did a good trade in small appliances
b
obsolete : dealings between persons or groups
2
a
: an act or instance of trading : transaction
also : an exchange of property usually without use of money
b
: a firm's customers : clientele
c
: the group of firms engaged in a business or industry
3
a
: an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill : craft
b
: the business or work in which one engages regularly : occupation
c
: the persons engaged in an occupation, business, or industry
4
: a customary course of action : practice
thy sin's not accidental, but a trade—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare5
: trade wind —usually used in plural
6
: a publication intended for persons in the entertainment business —usually used in plural
7
a
obsolete : a path traversed : way
b
archaic : a track or trail left by a person or animal : tread sense 4
trade
2 of 3verb
traded; trading
intransitive verb
1
: to give one thing in exchange for another
2
a
: to engage in the exchange, purchase, or sale of goods
b
: to make one's purchases : shop
trades at his store
3
: sell sense 3
4
obsolete : to have dealings : negotiate
transitive verb
1
a
: to give in exchange for another commodity : barter
also : to make an exchange of
traded places
b
: to engage in frequent buying and selling of (stocks, commodities, etc.) usually in search of quick profits
2
archaic : to do business with
tradable adjective
or less commonly tradeable
ˈtrā-də-bəl
trade
3 of 3adjective
1
: of, relating to, or used in trade
2
a
: intended for or limited to persons in a business or industry
a trade publication
trade sales
b
: serving others in the same business rather than the ultimate user or consumer
a trade printing house
3
or less commonly trades : of, composed of, or representing the trades or trade unions
a trade committee
4
: having a larger softcover format than that of a mass-market paperback and usually sold only in bookstores
trade paperbacks
also : of or relating to the publishing of such books
Phrases
trade on : to take often unscrupulous advantage of : exploit
traded on their influence … in securing special favors—T. C. Pease
T. C. Pease
Synonyms
Noun
- back-and-forth
- barter
- commutation
- dicker
- exchange
- quid pro quo
- swap
- trade-off
- truck
Verb
- deal
- traffic
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun the trade between the two countries Trade accounts for half of our gross national product. The Tigers made a few good trades this season and picked up some promising players. Verb If you don't like your seat, I'll trade with you. I traded seats with her halfway through the show. He was traded to the Yankees. They traded him to the Broncos. I traded my pen for a pencil and kept writing. Their firm specializes in trading bonds. She mostly trades in stocks. See More
Recent Examples on the WebGary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Feb. 2023 Seventy-nine outside companies, trade organizations, politicians and nonprofits have submitted arguments in the case. —Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2023 But first, the Chicago Bears are navigating trade speculation around their No. 1 pick — and all things Arlington Heights. —Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2023 The rally marks a sharp reversal from last year when value stocks, or those that trade at low multiples of their book value, or net worth, stood out in a down market. —Hardika Singh, WSJ, 17 Feb. 2023 Credit: Lucasfilm/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Neeson) and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), are tasked with putting an end to an intergalactic trade war (blech) that threatens to destroy the Galactic Republic. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2023 Countries accounting for more than 30% of global GDP maintained trade ties and refrained from condemning the invasion, enabling Russia to rebuild supply chains and fight off economic isolation. —Azure Gilman, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2023 French minister Fesneau told Reuters that Paris was negotiating with its non-EU trade partners to allow exports of vaccinated poultry while there were also bilateral talks at the EU level with countries outside the bloc. —Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023 The same is true for every high-profile signing, trade or draft pick. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2023 Fortune, 16 Feb. 2023 The global electronic broker said only individuals with more than the equivalent of $1 million in assets and institutions with more than $5.1 million can trade bitcoin and ethereum on its platform alongside other kinds of assets. —Weilun Soon, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023 An unprotected 2029 first-round pick, the only first rounder the Bucks can trade, is a high-risk, high-reward asset for any team who acquires it. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 Multiple outlets have reported Detroit’s interest in receiving an unprotected first-round pick in exchange, and the Mavericks can trade one starting in 2025. —Dallas News, 26 Jan. 2023 The Pistons owe one future first-round pick (to New York), but currently can only trade their 2029 first-round pick due to the pick protections on the outgoing pick. —Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2023 Amateur traders who gather on social media can’t trade sophisticated products like credit-default swaps — products that protect against companies’ reneging on their debts. —Joe Rennison, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2022 The Hong Kong listing also makes Tencent Music’s shares more easily accessible to mainland Chinese investors, most of whom cannot trade the U.S. securities markets. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 20 Sep. 2022 Phoenix matched the offer sheet to keep Ayton and can’t trade him to Indiana. —Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 23 Aug. 2022 Paul Sracic, CNN, 12 Jan. 2023 And there is now a remarkable bipartisan consensus about confronting China on the economy, even if this involves violating some of the pre-trade principles that the United States promulgated for sixty years after the Second World War. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2023 In his final game against his pre-trade Rockets squad this season, Wood added 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a season-high five blocks while shooting 8 of 14 from the floor. —Dallas News, 2 Jan. 2023 In a post-trade session with reporters, general manager Don Sweeney noted his encouragement over prospects Cole Spicer (Minnesota-Duluth) and Matthew Poitras (OHL Guelph). —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Oct. 2022 The company has already introduced pre-trade verifications, which can help users avoid phishing, along with a verification system for vetted cryptocurrencies. —Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2022 Ryan, who has long staked out a spot in the anti-trade wing of the Democratic Party, appeals to blue-collar workers by supporting a blend of tariffs and industrial policy. —David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2022 To give way on those would be to risk aggravating anti-trade sentiment in the U.S. —Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2022 No-nonsense manager Bob Melvin’s bottom line: ‘Play better’ Sitting unread in the email in-box Saturday morning was, at this head-scratching point, a seemingly reasonable thought about how to deal with the Padres’ post-trade deadline morass. —Bryce Millercolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
Durant says Suns have pieces in place Kevin Durant's trade to Phoenix changed the NBA landscape. —Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Feb. 2023 Seventy-nine outside companies, trade organizations, politicians and nonprofits have submitted arguments in the case. —Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2023 But first, the Chicago Bears are navigating trade speculation around their No. 1 pick — and all things Arlington Heights. —Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2023 The rally marks a sharp reversal from last year when value stocks, or those that trade at low multiples of their book value, or net worth, stood out in a down market. —Hardika Singh, WSJ, 17 Feb. 2023 Credit: Lucasfilm/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Neeson) and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), are tasked with putting an end to an intergalactic trade war (blech) that threatens to destroy the Galactic Republic. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2023 Countries accounting for more than 30% of global GDP maintained trade ties and refrained from condemning the invasion, enabling Russia to rebuild supply chains and fight off economic isolation. —Azure Gilman, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2023 French minister Fesneau told Reuters that Paris was negotiating with its non-EU trade partners to allow exports of vaccinated poultry while there were also bilateral talks at the EU level with countries outside the bloc. —Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023 The same is true for every high-profile signing, trade or draft pick. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2023 Verb
The Fortune Impact Initiative is sponsored by Everfi, a platform for workplace training, and is designed to be a forum where executives can trade knowledge and best practices in the rapidly evolving field of ESG. —Fortune, 16 Feb. 2023 The global electronic broker said only individuals with more than the equivalent of $1 million in assets and institutions with more than $5.1 million can trade bitcoin and ethereum on its platform alongside other kinds of assets. —Weilun Soon, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023 An unprotected 2029 first-round pick, the only first rounder the Bucks can trade, is a high-risk, high-reward asset for any team who acquires it. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 Multiple outlets have reported Detroit’s interest in receiving an unprotected first-round pick in exchange, and the Mavericks can trade one starting in 2025. —Dallas News, 26 Jan. 2023 The Pistons owe one future first-round pick (to New York), but currently can only trade their 2029 first-round pick due to the pick protections on the outgoing pick. —Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2023 Amateur traders who gather on social media can’t trade sophisticated products like credit-default swaps — products that protect against companies’ reneging on their debts. —Joe Rennison, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2022 The Hong Kong listing also makes Tencent Music’s shares more easily accessible to mainland Chinese investors, most of whom cannot trade the U.S. securities markets. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 20 Sep. 2022 Phoenix matched the offer sheet to keep Ayton and can’t trade him to Indiana. —Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 23 Aug. 2022 Adjective
In Lordstown, Ohio, for example — ground zero for White, working-class and anti-trade voters — Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturing goliath, intends to produce thousands of Fisker PEAR electric vehicles per year, alongside other EV products. —Paul Sracic, CNN, 12 Jan. 2023 And there is now a remarkable bipartisan consensus about confronting China on the economy, even if this involves violating some of the pre-trade principles that the United States promulgated for sixty years after the Second World War. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2023 In his final game against his pre-trade Rockets squad this season, Wood added 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a season-high five blocks while shooting 8 of 14 from the floor. —Dallas News, 2 Jan. 2023 In a post-trade session with reporters, general manager Don Sweeney noted his encouragement over prospects Cole Spicer (Minnesota-Duluth) and Matthew Poitras (OHL Guelph). —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Oct. 2022 The company has already introduced pre-trade verifications, which can help users avoid phishing, along with a verification system for vetted cryptocurrencies. —Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2022 Ryan, who has long staked out a spot in the anti-trade wing of the Democratic Party, appeals to blue-collar workers by supporting a blend of tariffs and industrial policy. —David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2022 To give way on those would be to risk aggravating anti-trade sentiment in the U.S. —Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2022 No-nonsense manager Bob Melvin’s bottom line: ‘Play better’ Sitting unread in the email in-box Saturday morning was, at this head-scratching point, a seemingly reasonable thought about how to deal with the Padres’ post-trade deadline morass. —Bryce Millercolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Middle Low German; akin to Old High German trata track, course, Old English tredan to tread
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7b
Verb
1553, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 4
Adjective
1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing trade
Kids Definition
trade
1 of 3 noun ˈtrād
1
: the business or work in which a person takes part regularly : occupation
2
: an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill
3
: the persons working in an occupation, business, or industry
4
: the business of buying and selling items : commerce
5
a
: an act or instance of trading : transaction
b
: an exchange of property without use of money : swap
6
: a firm's customers
7
: trade wind —usually used in plural
trade
2 of 3 verb traded; trading
1
a
: to give in exchange for something else
b
: to make an exchange of
traded places
2
a
: to take part in the exchange, purchase, or sale of goods
b
: to deal regularly as a customer
trade
3 of 3 adjective : of, relating to, or used in trade
Legal Definition
trade
1 of 3 noun1
a
: the business or work in which one engages regularly
b
: an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill
c
: the persons engaged in an occupation
2
: the business of buying and selling or bartering commodities
3
: an act or instance of trading
also : an exchange of property usually without use of money
trade
2 of 3 verb traded; trading
intransitive verb
1
: to engage in the exchange, purchase, or sale of goods
2
: to give one thing in exchange for another
3
: to engage in selling
transitive verb
1
: to give in exchange for another commodity
also : to make an exchange of
2
: to engage in frequent buying and selling of (as stocks or commodities) usually in search of quick profits
tradable adjective
also tradeable
trader noun
trade
3 of 3 adjective1
: of, relating to, or used in trade or in a particular trade or business
2
also trades : of, composed of, or representing the trades or labor unions
trade 1 of 2
noun
1
as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another when the other team unexpectedly offered to hand over its top pitcher for our star shortstop, our coach agreed to the trade Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- exchange
- swap
- barter
- dealing
- truck
- bargaining
- deal
- bargain
- dicker
- commutation
- substitution
- negotiation
- transaction
- trade-off
- replacement
- quid pro quo
- back-and-forth
- reciprocation
- haggling
- horse trade
- dickering
- horse trading
- recompense
- logrolling
- requital
2
as in craft
an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands a youth eager to learn the trade of cabinetmaking Synonyms & Similar Words
- craft
- art
- handicraft
- skill
- handcraft
- occupation
- profession
- calling
- vocation
- metier
- métier
3
as in profession
the activity by which one regularly makes a living writing is my trade Synonyms & Similar Words
- profession
- work
- occupation
- employment
- vocation
- line
- calling
- game
- job
- lay
- business
- duty
- living
- enterprise
- art
- livelihood
- position
- call
- mission
- place
- assignment
- craft
- task
- field
- engagement
- handicraft
- office
- situation
- racket
- gig
- function
- post
- handcraft
- load
- lifework
- metier
- workload
- métier
- appointment
- billet
- berth
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hobby
- pursuit
- avocation
4
as in commerce
the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places a bill regulating trade with that country Synonyms & Similar Words
- commerce
- marketplace
- dealings
- business
- traffic
- bartering
- free trade
- retailing
- black market
- gray market
- merchandising
- wholesaling
- horse-trading
- e-tail
5
as in sale
the transfer of ownership of something from one person to another for a price the trade of all of her holdings in the company just before the stock plunged in value immediately aroused suspicions Synonyms & Similar Words
- sale
- deal
- transaction
- purchase
- auction
- bargain
- negotiation
- buy
- steal
- haggle
- fair
- silent auction
- fire sale
- clearance
- horse-trading
- garage sale
- rummage sale
- closeout
- yard sale
- tag sale
- jumble sale
trade
2 of 2verb
1
as in to deal
to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property the U.S. agreed to trade with China Synonyms & Similar Words
- deal
- sell
- negotiate
- exchange
- traffic
- barter
- swap
- smuggle
- market
- bargain
- retail
- purchase
- merchandise
- buy
- transact
- supply
- resell
- auction
- wholesale
- horse-trade
- peddle
- merchandize
- invest
- distribute
- take
- monopolize
- bootleg
- fence
- vend
- day-trade
- pick up
- black-market
- speculate
- undersell
- rebuy
- corner
- fair-trade
- engross
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- boycott
- black
- blackball
2
as in to exchange
to give up (something) and take something else in return I'll trade my chocolate chip cookie for your bag of chips Synonyms & Similar Words
- exchange
- swap
- change
- substitute
- switch
- shift
- replace
- interchange
- commute
- supersede
- surrender
- reciprocate
- yield
- cede
- displace
- hand over
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of trade are business, commerce, industry, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.
The words business and trade can be used in similar contexts, but business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.
The words industry and trade are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.
While in some cases nearly identical to trade, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.
Phrases Containing trade
- deuteranomaly
- deuteranope
- deuteranopes
- deuteranopia
- deuteranopias
- deuteranopic
- deuterate
- deuterated
- deuterates
- deuterating
- deuteration
- deuterations
- deuteri-
- deuteric
- deuterically
- deuteride
- deuterides
- deuterio-
- deuterium
- deuterium oxide
- deuteriums
- deutero-
- deutero-Malay
- deutero-malayan
- deutero-malaysian