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

Nearly a quarter of trade-ins toward new car purchases are burdened with negative equity. —Janae Bowens, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2025

Those placing a pre-order can look forward to more storage, more colors and more trade-in value. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Verb

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) stated overnight that the legacy trade in subsidy program has led to 6.8 million cars exchanged, 62.6 million appliances, and 1.3 million electric bicycles, as total sales exceeding RMB 1.3 trillion, which added 1% to 2024 retail sales. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

But as the front office brainstorms options — frontcourt, backcourt, picks versus players — for potential trades in the coming weeks, this is an interesting name to add to the debate. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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