trade-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrād-ˌin 

: an item of merchandise (such as an automobile or refrigerator) taken as payment or part payment for a purchase

trade in

2 of 2

verb

traded in; trading in; trades in

transitive verb

1

: to turn in as payment or part payment for a purchase or bill

trade the old car in on a new one

2

: exchange sense 2

Examples of trade-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the last month, the company has offered $251 to trade-in any old phone and launched a new exclusive discount code. —Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

With a larger budget deficit, Beijing could more than double the size of the consumer trade-in program from last year to over 300 billion yuan in subsidies, UBS’ Wang said. —Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

Verb

Besides, Abrahamian noted, the trade in golden visas from places like Portugal and Malta, both E.U. member states, has been going on for long enough that most ultra-rich people who want one already have one. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025

Instead, Thomas, who was acquired in a four-team trade in January after spending the first 11 years of her WNBA career with the Connecticut Sun, discussed her excitement for playing alongside Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally. —Ben Pickman, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trade-in

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin

Kids Definition

trade-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈtrād-ˌin

: something given in trade usually as part payment for a purchase

trade in

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)trād-ˈin

: to turn in as a payment or part payment for a purchase