trade

/treɪd/

Reviewed on

Also a verb

Meaning

  1. The activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services between people, companies, or countries.

    • International trade has expanded dramatically over the past two decades.

    • Does local trade generate enough tax revenue to fund public services?

  2. A skilled manual job or craft that typically requires specialized training or an apprenticeship.

    • He decided to learn a skilled trade instead of taking on college debt.

    • Carpenters and electricians both take immense pride in their respective trades.

  3. The exchange of one thing for another between two parties.

    • The baseball team arranged an unexpected trade right before the deadline.

    • Are you willing to make a fair trade of shifts with me this weekend?

  4. The people, businesses, or publications involved in a particular industry or commercial sector.

    • The unexpected policy change drew sharp criticism from across the trade.

    • She subscribes to several trade magazines to stay updated on legal developments.

Collocations

  • international trade
  • free trade
  • trade deficit
  • trade barrier
  • skilled trade
  • learn a trade
  • trade secret
  • trade agreement
  • fair trade
  • trade publication

Synonyms

Idioms

  • tools of the trade

    the equipment or skills required to do a specific job

    A sharp knife and steady hands are the essential tools of the trade for a chef.

  • jack of all trades

    a person with competence in many different skills

    He is a jack of all trades who repaired the drywall, plumbing, and roof.