export
Americanverb (used with object)
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to ship (commodities) to other countries or places for sale, exchange, etc.
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to send or transmit (ideas, institutions, etc.) to another place, especially to another country.
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Computers. to save (documents, data, etc.) in a format usable by another software program.
verb (used without object)
noun
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the act of exporting; exportation.
the export of coffee.
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something that is exported; an article exported.
Coffee is a major export of Colombia.
adjective
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of or relating to the exportation of goods or to exportable goods.
export duties.
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produced for export.
an export beer.
noun
verb
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to sell (goods or services) or ship (goods) to a foreign country or countries
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(tr) to transmit or spread (an idea, social institution, etc) abroad
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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exporternoun
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unexportingadjective
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exportableadjective
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nonexportableadjective
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superexportverb (used with object)
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unexportedadjective
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superexportnoun
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unexportableadjective
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exportabilitynoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has exportedperfect 3rd person singular
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have exportedperfect
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is exportingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been exportingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been exportingperfect progressive
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exportssingular 3rd person
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are exportingprogressive
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am exportingprogressive 1st person singular
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exportingparticiple
Past
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had exportedperfect
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was exportingprogressive singular
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had been exportingperfect progressive
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exportedsimple
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were exportingprogressive plural
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exportedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of export
First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin exportāre “to carry out, carry away,” from ex- ex- 1 + portāre “to carry”
Explanation
To export something is to move it from its current location to a different territory. Some have been trying to export the American diet overseas by spreading McDonald's fries around the globe. The verb export comes from the Latin word exportare which means “to carry out” or “send away.” To export something is to move it across borders. You could export locally made fabric to wealthy European cities. When something is an export, it is a good, service or idea that is sent or sold to a foreign land: diamonds are a valuable African export.
Vocabulary lists containing export
American History I
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Computer Science and Technology - Middle School
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The United States
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The strong export growth shows the competitiveness of the Chinese firms in the international market," said Zhiwei Zhang of Pinpoint Asset Management.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
Permian production bypasses Cushing on its way to Gulf refineries and to export from the newly expanded Port of Corpus Christi through pipelines, which have also been expanded.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026
Intensifying Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s refineries, export terminals and oil depots have dented the oil industry, one of Moscow’s most important sources of income.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
In the two weeks preceding the election, Moscow banned the export of Armenian flowers, mineral water, cognac, fresh vegetables and fruit.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
They passed the floors of insurance agents, government offices, and export firms.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.