stock exchange

American  

noun

1. a building or place where stocks and other securities are bought and sold.

2. an association of brokers and dealers in stocks and bonds who meet together and transact business according to fixed rules.

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stock exchange British  

noun

1. Also called: stock market. 

   1. a highly organized market facilitating the purchase and sale of securities and operated by professional stockbrokers and market makers according to fixed rules

   2. a place where securities are regularly traded

   3. ( as modifier )

      a stock-exchange operator

      stock-exchange prices

2. the prices or trading activity of a stock exchange

   the stock exchange fell heavily today

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stock exchange Cultural  

1. A place where stocks, bonds, and other securities are bought and sold.

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Discover More

In the United States, the two largest stock exchanges are the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Activity on these two exchanges is usually considered an indication of the state of the economy as a whole.

Etymology

Origin of stock exchange

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

On a stock exchange, any evidence of insider trading would quickly draw the attention of corporate counsels and regulators.

From Barron's

Hong Kong's stock exchange reported record profits for the second consecutive year on Thursday, after the finance hub topped the global rankings for initial public offerings in 2025.

From Barron's

With public companies going public later — or not at all — much of the most dynamic growth in the economy happens outside of the stock exchange.

From MarketWatch

"No financial exchange is immune from bad actors. Not stock exchanges, not banks, not prediction markets," Bobby DeNault, who leads Kalshi's enforcement efforts, said in a post on Wednesday.

From BBC

But Chang added that investors also are focusing on the structure of BDCs — some of which are listed on stock exchanges and trade daily, even though the private loans in their portfolio do not.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• exchange