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
Morgan Smith, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
The tariff threats have also sparked an exchange of words between Mexico and Canada as Trump criticized both countries over their border controls.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 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 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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
Or take a job with a micromanaging boss in exchange for a higher salary?
—Morgan Smith, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
The tariff threats have also sparked an exchange of words between Mexico and Canada as Trump criticized both countries over their border controls.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 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 22 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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