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

Plus, it creates new headaches for companies, many of which would likely jockey for workarounds as the administration has shown a willingness to barter tariffs for other commitments, he adds.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

Try to get a car at an auto rental agency without booking it online first; you might as well attempt to barter your watch and three chickens as payment.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2026

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 • Nov. 10, 2025

People could also barter for health services with seedlings or manure, to be used for forest restoration and farming.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2024

This was her choice, her choosing, her barter.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• haggle