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
Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
The exchange, help spurred by a congressional committee, mirrored a similar swap in September in which U.S. citizen David Lin came home after nearly 20 years.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Zak Doffman, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
During the visit, Chinese and Russian naval sailors conducted cross-deck visits and exchanged ideas on professional skills.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exchange 
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Distributed free by local officials, supplies are abundant at the house where Sleaze smokes fentanyl and works security in exchange for drugs.
—Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
The exchange, help spurred by a congressional committee, mirrored a similar swap in September in which U.S. citizen David Lin came home after nearly 20 years.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
User identifiers are exchanged to authenticate your device and provide a connection.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
During the visit, Chinese and Russian naval sailors conducted cross-deck visits and exchanged ideas on professional skills.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exchange
Dictionary Entries Near exchange
Cite this Entry
“Exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exchange. Accessed 25 Dec. 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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