The Open Dictionary

trade

noun

UK/treɪd/
US/treɪd/

Definitions of trade noun

commerce

  1. B1Uncountable

    The activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services between individuals or countries.

    • The nation's industrial goods trade has significantly expanded over the past decade.

    • Seventy percent of the nation's trade volume is conducted with European countries.

    • The two nations entered into a trade agreement that is valid for a single year.

  2. Uncountable

    General business activity.

    • Since the opening of the large supermarket, many small local businesses have experienced a significant drop in trade.

    • During hot weather, shops experience a brisk trade in cold beverages and ice cream.

    • Confidence in the economy typically benefits the conduct of trade.

industry

  1. C1Countable

    A specific type of business or industry.

    • the construction, catering, and tourism trades

    • the publishing, automotive, and leather goods trades

    • He dedicated his entire career to the same trade.

occupation

  1. B2CountableUncountable

    A job, often requiring specialized skills, that involves manual labor.

    • She attended college to learn a specific trade.

    • He works as a carpenter by trade.

    • Learning a trade can provide people with more career options.

verb

UK/treɪd/
US/treɪd/

Definitions of trade verb

commerce

  1. B2TransitiveIntransitiveVerb + adv/prep

    To engage in the buying and selling of goods or services, especially between countries.

    • Native Americans traded with European settlers for centuries.

    • The company has been trading in oil for many years.

    • The two nations have developed into close trading partners.

finance

  1. TransitiveIntransitive

    To buy and sell shares on the stock exchange.

    • The volume of stocks traded on the exchange today was extremely high.

    • Shares in the company traded actively.

    • The company’s stock traded heavily at the open.

exchange

  1. Transitive

    To exchange something, or to stop using or doing something and start using or doing something else instead.

    • The children traded comic books.

    • I'll trade some of my chocolate for some of your ice cream.

    • I wouldn't trade you for anything.

communication

  1. Transitive

    To exchange statements or information with each other.

    • We sat around the dinner table, trading stories.

    • The two politicians were not really discussing the issues; they were just trading insults.

    • Participants traded insights about current trends during the conference.

adjective

UK/treɪd/
US/treɪd/

Phrases of trade adjective

  • trade publication/journal/magazine/paper

    A publication, such as a newspaper or magazine, specifically created for individuals working within a particular industry or business.

    • This trade publication provides a detailed analysis of the latest market trends.

Phrasal Verbs of trade

  • trade something in

    to provide an item you possess as partial payment towards purchasing another item, particularly a newer version of the same type

    • She decided to trade in her old car for a new one.

  • trade on something

    to exploit something, particularly a trait, for personal gain, often in a dishonest manner

    • His company trades on their reputation to gain profits.

  • trade something off

    to reconcile accepting a drawback or unfavorable aspect in exchange for a desirable outcome or benefit

    • In this deal, we must trade off some efficiency to achieve a reduction in costs.

  • trade up/down

    to purchase an item, often a house or car, that is either more expensive or less costly than what you currently possess

    • They decided to sell their old car and then purchase a new luxury sedan, referring to the process as trading up.