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• 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

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.

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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

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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]

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Etymology

Origin of trade-in

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

Example Sentences

Car companies will often offer incentives to help their trade-in customers offset negative equity, with some brands tending to offer more because their cars depreciate faster.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

These are sometimes listed on car companies’ websites as trade-in “cash offers” or “bonus cash,” he noted.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Even with the increased level of negative equity, the average trade-in equity for a car in March exceeded $6,800, according to JD Power.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Firms have flooded the domestic market in recent years with trade-in schemes, offering huge discounts to customers to give up their old auto for a new one.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

“So you’ll be doing a trade-in then?” the salesman asked.

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech

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