trade-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrād-ˌin 

: 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

Noun

Items sent for trade-in go to SELLIT9's partners to be refurbished and resold, donated, or responsibly recycled. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026

The machine also comes with a 1978 letter signed by Steve Jobs offering Hatfield a trade-in for an Apple II. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

Martínez, of course, became a Hall of Famer while Claire became saddled with the stain of one of the worst trades in Dodger history. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

What’s missing is understanding, the currency that mathematicians trade in. — Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trade-in

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• superfine
• underpin
• vietminh
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin

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