exchange

plural exchanges

1. countableuncountableAn act of exchanging or trading.

   an exchange of cattle for grain

   2 more examples

   All in all, it was an even exchange.

   I'll help you out this time, depending on what can you give me in exchange.

2. countableuncountableA place for conducting trading.

   The stock exchange is open for trading.

   1 more example

   The old corn exchange has been converted into a music venue.

3. Ellipsis of telephone exchange.
   1. countableuncountablecommunicationsA central office.
   2. countableuncountablecommunicationsThe portion of a telephone number that represents (or formerly represented) a central office.

      NPA-NXX-1234 is standard format, where NPA is the area code and NXX is the exchange.

      1 more example

      The 555 exchange is reserved for use by the phone company, which is why it's often used in films.

4. countableuncountableA conversation.

   After a lengthy exchange with the manager, we were no wiser.

   2 more examples

   'Why bother with the daily grind when you can go to Mosul, get paid $400 a month, get a wife – and live an Islamic way,' went an exchange between two men overheard by a fellow passenger in a taxi. Rumour has it that a woman whose husband died fighting with Isis now receives a generous widow's pension from jihadi coffers.

   2014 November 27, Ian Black, “Courts kept busy as Jordan works to crush support for Isis”, in The Guardian

   The monarch and the prime minister meet weekly, currently on Wednesdays, to discuss matters of state. There is no one else in the room, and many former prime ministers have spoken about how much they have enjoyed the weekly exchanges.

   2022 October 25, Karla Adam, “King Charles III plays role his mother did in U.K. power transition”, in The Washington Post

5. countableuncountableboard gamesThe loss of one piece and associated capture of another.
   1. countableuncountableusuallywith definite articleboard gamesThe loss of a minor piece (typically a bishop or knight) and associated capture of the more advantageous rook.
6. countableobsoleteuncountableThe thing given or received in return; especially, a publication exchanged for another.

   Lady, as you are mine, I am yours, I giue away my selfe for you, and doat vpon the exchange.

   1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

7. countableuncountablebiochemistryThe transfer of substances or elements like gas, amino-acids, ions etc. sometimes through a surface like a membrane.
8. countableuncountablebusinessThe difference between the values of money in different places.
9. EnglandNorthern IrelandWalesabbreviationclippingcountableuncountablelawClipping of exchange of contracts.

present singular third person exchanges · participle present exchanging · participle past exchanged · past exchanged · first person past singular exchanged · archaic present second person singular exchangest · past second person singular exchanged · archaic past second person singular exchangedst · present singular third person exchanges · archaic present singular third person exchangeth · past singular third person exchanged · past plural exchanged · past subjunctive exchanged · participle present exchanging · participle past exchanged

1. transitiveTo trade or barter.

   I'll gladly exchange my place for yours.

   Synonyms: truck

2. figurativelytransitiveTo mutually direct at each other.

   The opposing soldiers exchanged fire across the burning streets.

3. transitiveTo replace with, as a substitute.

   I'd like to exchange this shirt for one in a larger size.

   1 more example

   Since his arrest, the mob boss has exchanged a mansion for a jail cell.

   Synonyms: interchange

4. EnglandNorthern IrelandWalesabbreviationclippinglawClipping of exchange contracts.
5. transitiveTo recommend and get recommendations.

   Synonyms: trade