barter

American  

[bahr-ter] / ˈbɑr tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money.

   Synonyms:

   traffic

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verb (used with object)

1. to exchange in trade, as one commodity for another; trade.

   Synonyms:

   traffic

2. to bargain away unwisely or dishonorably (usually followed byaway ).

   bartering away his pride for material gain.

noun

1. the act or practice of bartering.

2. items or an item for bartering.

   We arrived with new barter for the villagers.

barter British  

/ ˈbɑːtə /

verb

1. to trade (goods, services, etc) in exchange for other goods, services, etc, rather than for money

   the refugees bartered for food

2. (intr) to haggle over the terms of such an exchange; bargain

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noun

1. trade by the exchange of goods

barter Cultural  

1. The exchange of goods or services for other goods or services, rather than for money.

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Related Words

See trade.

Other Word Forms

• barterer noun
• outbarter verb (used with object)
• unbartered adjective
• unbartering adjective

Etymology

Origin of barter

1400–50; late Middle English, apparently < Anglo-French, Old French bareter, barater ( barrator ), with shift of sense

Example Sentences

Together, the data support a new interpretation of Monte Sierpe as an Indigenous center for barter and exchange that may have evolved into an accounting system under Inca rule.

From Science Daily

This woman was really into bartering, though, like, if you give me weed, I’ll braid your hair, and I was not.

From Salon

Menendez said the position gave him access to wall phones, and used the position to help him barter or gain favors.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s also a bartering and swap group where folks negotiate clever exchanges: “I have an unused air fryer. You have an unused desk chair. Want to swap?”

From Salon

They wanted to barter their old clothing, but that was a sticky prospect in Los Angeles — the scene is riddled with suspicious stares from thrift store employees and digital cold wars with teenagers on Depop.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• haggle