trade-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrād-ˌin How to pronounce trade-in (audio)
Synonyms of trade-innext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And with the trade-in value for his six-year-old Ram, Flickinger was able to purchase the Ford without taking on a new car payment. — Bloomberg, Oc Register, 8 June 2026 And with the trade-in value for his six-year-old Ram, Flickinger was able to purchase the Ford without taking on a new car payment. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Verb
Maybe there’s another shoe to drop here, a secondary trade in the offing involving one of the non-Tatums that will fill that hole. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 2 July 2026 This time, the Celtics competed for the worst trade in NBA history. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for trade-in

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trade-in was in 1891

Rhymes for trade-in

See All Rhymes for trade-in

Browse Nearby Words

trade guild
trade-in
trade in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trade-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade-in. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on trade-in

Nglish: Translation of trade-in for Spanish Speakers

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