fair-trade

1 of 2

verb

ˈfer-ˈtrād 

fair-traded; fair-trading; fair-trades

transitive verb

: to market (a commodity) in compliance with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement

fair trader noun

fair trade

2 of 2

noun

1

: trade in conformity with a fair-trade agreement

2

: a movement whose goal is to help producers in developing countries to get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices

Examples of fair-trade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After all, if doing so gets me to my fitness goals faster, then extra soreness feels like a fair trade. —Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025

Explore fair trade items from more than 30 countries. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 6 Dec. 2024

Book Love is one part book shop, one part cafe, and Greenhouse Mercantile has a selection of fair trade gifts and decor. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024

These vegan, 70% cocoa, gluten free, sweetened with coconut sugar are delicious, fair trade, and organic. —Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1947, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fair trade

noun

1

: trade conforming to a fair trade agreement

2

: a movement that aims to help producers in developing countries get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices

fair trade verb

Legal Definition

fair-trade

transitive verb

: to market (a commodity) in compliance with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement

fair trade noun

fair trader noun