ex·change
iks-ˈchānj 
ˈeks-ˌchānj
ˈeks-ˌchānj
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
(2)
(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
exchanged; exchanging
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
Synonyms
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
Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024
Six bystanders also suffered gunshot wounds during the exchange of gunfire between the gunman and police, Zabaleta said.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
The exchanges on balanced growth and money laundering will be held under the framework of existing economic and financial working groups that were set up after Yellen met He in July.
—Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
As part of a sweeping election integrity bill in 2021, Texas created a felony offense for collecting mail-in ballots in exchange for benefits, such as payment or a job offer.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
An Israeli defense official said that Israeli analysts had reached the same conclusion, that Iran itself would attack and not act through Hezbollah, its closest militant ally, which has been engaging in regular exchanges of fire with Israeli forces since the war began.
—Ronen Bergman, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Four co-defendants subsequently took plea deals in exchange for agreeing to testify against other defendants.
—Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Negotiators had been working toward a temporary cease-fire that would take effect during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in exchange for the release of hostages.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
In exchange for their support, his movement would make the case for eliminating corporate taxes and regulations.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
In another slide, Spelling posted a video of the duo hugging and exchanging words on the yellow carpet.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
The Axis parent group has given Espinoza the opportunity to connect with others in her shoes and exchange ideas on what has worked and what hasn’t.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Leaving the scene of a car accident without exchanging information with other drivers involved is classified as a hit and run, according to Texas law, and can lead to fines or imprisonment.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2024
My hope is like a Greek myth: exchanging skin for bark,
bark for scales,
scales for the hollow bones of a bird.
—Jane Hirshfield, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Gypsy and Ryan exchanged vows while Gypsy was still in prison in 2022.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
The lawsuit is expected to continue to discovery, the formal process of exchanging information between attorneys about witnesses and evidence that could be presented before a jury at trial.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024
Police said there was a disturbance in the parking lot and the off-duty officers exchanged gunfire with at least one suspect.
—The Indianapolis Star, 24 Mar. 2024
Noun
One Doral police officer was hit in the lower extremity during the exchange of gunfire.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024
Six bystanders also suffered gunshot wounds during the exchange of gunfire between the gunman and police, Zabaleta said.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
The exchanges on balanced growth and money laundering will be held under the framework of existing economic and financial working groups that were set up after Yellen met He in July.
—Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
As part of a sweeping election integrity bill in 2021, Texas created a felony offense for collecting mail-in ballots in exchange for benefits, such as payment or a job offer.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
An Israeli defense official said that Israeli analysts had reached the same conclusion, that Iran itself would attack and not act through Hezbollah, its closest militant ally, which has been engaging in regular exchanges of fire with Israeli forces since the war began.
—Ronen Bergman, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Four co-defendants subsequently took plea deals in exchange for agreeing to testify against other defendants.
—Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Negotiators had been working toward a temporary cease-fire that would take effect during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in exchange for the release of hostages.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
In exchange for their support, his movement would make the case for eliminating corporate taxes and regulations.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
Like the curation of a museum exhibition, the story has been long in the making, with numerous conversations and debates and, occasionally, the odd cross word exchanged in the pursuit of the most fascinating, curious, and often bizarre stories from around the world.
—Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
In another slide, Spelling posted a video of the duo hugging and exchanging words on the yellow carpet.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
The Axis parent group has given Espinoza the opportunity to connect with others in her shoes and exchange ideas on what has worked and what hasn’t.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Leaving the scene of a car accident without exchanging information with other drivers involved is classified as a hit and run, according to Texas law, and can lead to fines or imprisonment.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2024
My hope is like a Greek myth: exchanging skin for bark,
bark for scales,
scales for the hollow bones of a bird.
—Jane Hirshfield, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Gypsy and Ryan exchanged vows while Gypsy was still in prison in 2022.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
The lawsuit is expected to continue to discovery, the formal process of exchanging information between attorneys about witnesses and evidence that could be presented before a jury at trial.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024
Police said there was a disturbance in the parking lot and the off-duty officers exchanged gunfire with at least one suspect.
—The Indianapolis Star, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exchange.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near exchange
Cite this Entry
“Exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exchange. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exchange
1 of 2 noun
ex·change
iks-ˈchānj
ˈeks-ˌchānj
ˈeks-ˌchānj
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
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