trade

noun

\ ˈtrād

Definition of trade

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a(1) : the business of buying and selling or bartering commodities : commerce

(2) : business, market novelties for the tourist trade did a good trade in small appliances

b obsolete : dealings between persons or groups

2a : an act or instance of trading : transaction also : an exchange of property usually without use of money

b : a firm's customers : clientele

c : the group of firms engaged in a business or industry

3a : an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill : craft

b : the business or work in which one engages regularly : occupation

c : the persons engaged in an occupation, business, or industry

4 : a customary course of action : practice thy sin's not accidental, but a trade— William Shakespeare

5 : trade wind —usually used in plural

6 : a publication intended for persons in the entertainment business —usually used in plural

7a obsolete : a path traversed : way

b archaic : a track or trail left by a person or animal : tread sense 4

trade

verb

traded; trading

Definition of trade (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : to give one thing in exchange for another

2a : to engage in the exchange, purchase, or sale of goods

b : to make one's purchases : shop trades at his store

3 : sell sense 3

4 obsolete : to have dealings : negotiate

1a : to give in exchange for another commodity : barter also : to make an exchange of traded places

b : to engage in frequent buying and selling of (stocks, commodities, etc.) usually in search of quick profits

2 archaic : to do business with

trade on

: to take often unscrupulous advantage of : exploit traded on their influence … in securing special favors— T. C. Pease