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

Save your car seat for the next Target car seat trade-in event. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026

Simply fill out the trade-in form to get an estimate on your product’s eligibility and credit value. —Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026

Verb

The Packers will be looking for Van Ness to fill the role vacated by edge Rashan Gary, another first-round pick who was traded in March to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick. —Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Andy reunites with Nigel Kipling (Tucci), Miranda’s close confidant who’s as kind and joyfully caustic as ever, and also Emily Charlton (Blunt), Andy’s frenemy from the first film, who has traded in magazines for retail because that’s where the money is now. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 Apr. 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
• underpin
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin

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