Jump To:

• trade-in
  trade-in

  noun

  goods given in whole or, usually, part payment of a purchase.
• trade in
  trade in

  Give or sell an old or used item and apply the value or proceeds to a new item. For example, Some people prefer to trade in their old car to the dealer, but we feel we'll do better by simply selling it. [First half of 1900s]

trade-in

American  

[treyd-in] / ˈtreɪdˌɪn /

noun

• trade-ins
  plural

1. goods given in whole or, usually, part payment of a purchase.

   We used our old car as a trade-in for the new one.

2. a business transaction involving a trade-in.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to the valuation of goods used in a trade-in.

   trade-in price.

2. of or relating to such a business transaction.

   trade-in terms.

trade-in British  

noun

1. 1. a used article given in part payment for the purchase of a new article

   2. a transaction involving such part payment

   3. the valuation put on the article traded in

   4. ( as modifier )

      a trade-in dealer

---

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to give (a used article) as part payment for the purchase of a new article

trade in Idioms  

1. Give or sell an old or used item and apply the value or proceeds to a new item. For example, Some people prefer to trade in their old car to the dealer, but we feel we'll do better by simply selling it. [First half of 1900s]

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• trade-ins
  plural

Etymology

Origin of trade-in

First recorded in 1920–25; noun, adj. use of verb phrase trade in

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trade-in trade in trade-ins

They flagged that consumers will get flexibility through a new leasing program as well as various trade-in offers.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

“A higher trade-in value in the U.S. could drive stronger demand for the iPhone 17, but create more pressure on iPhone 18 sales given limited feature upgrades but assumed mid-teen % price hikes.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

“As trade-in prices are a monthly negotiated agreement between Apple and appointed dealers in each region, it may not have any implication for new iPhone selling prices,” they write.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Activist investor Starboard Value also revealed in March a $350 million stake in the company and urged Barr to review costs and upgrade the company’s digital trade-in experience.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

They even have a trade-in policy, so I go there a lot.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

Robust corporate earnings so far this year have indeed provided the fundamental support for major indexes to trade in record territory.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

Momentum returned to the trade in artificial-intelligence stocks, with chip makers in Asia gaining and AI supply-chain names rallying in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

The US imported about $104bn of goods from India in 2025, while two-way US-India trade in goods and services was roughly $240bn, according to the US Trade Representative.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Because what was already a steal when the teams first agreed to the trade in June now looks like an absolute lifesaver.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

“I’ll tell you one thing,” Mrs. said to Pa. “When we get home, you’re going to trade in this tin can on wheels for a brand-new car. That’s the end of this Wildcat.”

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia

That’s why Apple will be leaning on leasing, trade-ins and carrier subsidies to limit the impact of its prices on sales, JPMorgan’s Samik Chatterjee said in a client note.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

Appliance trade-ins can boost sales for a quarter.

From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026

One third of car owners owe debt of between $5,000 and $10,000, and almost one-quarter of trade-ins with negative equity carried more than $10,000 in debt, a new high.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025

According to Game's website, the store accepts trade-ins for "most consoles, games, and gaming accessories", but does not take titles from older consoles such as PlayStation 2.

From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2024

Most important, he began accepting horses as trade-ins.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• carry
• conduct
• control
• enjoy
• have
• manage
• place
• preserve
• put
• retain
• save
• store