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
Becky Sullivan, NPR, 30 Apr. 2024
Because they are critically endangered, zoos exchange and breed red wolves to maintain genetic diversity through a program called Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE).
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exchange 
Noun
Meanwhile, negotiations mediated by Egypt over a potential cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas have raised hopes about the release of some or all of the remaining hostages in exchange for a sequence of cease-fires and the release of Palestinian detainees held by Israel.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 30 Apr. 2024
Because they are critically endangered, zoos exchange and breed red wolves to maintain genetic diversity through a program called Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE).
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exchange
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exchange.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near exchange
Cite this Entry
“Exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exchange. Accessed 4 May. 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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