exchange

Pluralexchanges

Formsexchanges, exchanging, exchanged

1. 1
   nouncountable

   The act of giving one thing and getting another thing back in return.

   Like swapping a snack from your lunch for one from a friend's.

   We made a fair exchange: my book for her game.

   The exchange of gifts made everyone at the party happy.

   UsageSay in exchange for: a book in exchange for a game.

   Similarswap, trade, interchange, barter

2. 2
   verbfigurativelytransitive

   When people exchange things like looks, words, or ideas, each one gives them to the other.

   Like two people waving at each other at the same time.

   The boxers exchanged blows in the final round.

   They exchange glances whenever the teacher turns around.

   UsageUsually with a plural word: exchange looks, exchange ideas.

   Note
3. 3
   stock marketnouncountable

   A place or organization where people buy and sell things such as stocks, goods, or currencies.

   Like a big market, but for buying and selling shares instead of food.

   The stock exchange opens at nine in the morning.

   Traders shouted orders across the floor of the exchange.

   UsageThings are bought and sold on an exchange, like the stock exchange.

   Similarmarket

4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To give something and get something else back instead.

   Like trading stickers with a classmate.

   Can I exchange these old coins for paper money at the bank?

   At the airport, we exchanged our dollars for euros.

   UsageSay exchange one thing for another: dollars for euros.

   Similartrade, swap, barter

5. 5
   a short talknouncountable

   A short talk in which people share words or ideas.

   Like a quick back-and-forth chat with a friend.

   We had a quick exchange before the meeting started.

   Their exchange about the movie lasted only a minute.

   UsageOften a heated exchange: a short angry talk between people.

   Similarconversation, dialogue, discussion, argument, altercation

6. 6
   student visitsnouncountable

   An arrangement for people, often students, from two countries or schools to visit or stay with one another temporarily.

   She went to France on an exchange when she was in high school.

   Our town has an exchange with a town in Japan, and their kids are visiting next week.

   UsageYou go on an exchange. A student who does is an exchange student.

7. 7
   swap outverbtransitive

   To take something away and put another thing in its place.

   Like putting a fresh battery in place of a dead one.

   The store will exchange a broken toy for a new one.

   Can I exchange this shirt for a different color?

   UsageIn a store, exchange a thing for a new one. Money back is a refund.

   Similarswap, switch, replace, change

8. 8
   money value gapnouncountable or uncountable

   The difference in how much money is worth from one place or country to another.

   Like how the same coin can buy more in one country than in another.

   The exchange was in our favor, so our dollars bought more.

   With the exchange against us, everything in London felt expensive.

   UsageToday people usually say exchange rate.

   Note
9. 9
   transfer (biology)noununcountable

   The movement of gases, ions, or other tiny substances, often across a thin wall.

   Like swapping fresh air for stale air through an open window.

   Gas exchange happens in the lungs when you breathe.

   The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide keeps cells alive.

   Similartransfer

   Note
10. 10
    telephone hubnouncountable

    A central building that connects telephone calls between users.

    Like a post office, but for phone calls instead of letters.

    The old telephone exchange still stands at the edge of town.

    Workers at the exchange connected every call by hand.

    Note

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