/ ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
GIVING AND RECEIVING
1.
[ C , U ] an act of giving sth to sb or doing sth for sb and receiving sth in return :
The exchange of prisoners took place this morning.
We need to promote an open exchange of ideas and information.
an exchange of glances / insults
an exchange of fire (= between enemy soldiers)
I buy you lunch and you fix my computer. Is that a fair exchange ?
Would you like my old TV in exchange for this camera?
I'll type your report if you'll babysit in exchange .
—see also part exchange
CONVERSATION / ARGUMENT
2.
[ C ] a conversation or an argument :
There was only time for a brief exchange.
The Prime Minister was involved in a heated exchange with opposition MPs.
OF MONEY
3.
[ U ] the process of changing an amount of one currency (= the money used in one country) for an equal value of another :
currency exchange facilities
Where can I find the best exchange rate / rate of exchange ?
—see also foreign exchange
BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
4.
[ C ] an arrangement when two people or groups from different countries visit each other's homes or do each other's jobs for a short time :
Our school does an exchange with a school in France.
Nick went on the French exchange.
trade and cultural exchanges with China
BUILDING
5.
(often Exchange ) [ C ] (in compounds) a building where business people met in the past to buy and sell a particular type of goods :
the old Corn Exchange
—see also stock exchange
TELEPHONE
6.
[ C ] = telephone exchange
■ verb
[ vn ]
GIVE AND RECEIVE
1.
exchange sth (with sb) to give sth to sb and at the same time receive the same type of thing from them :
to exchange ideas / news / information
Juliet and David exchanged glances (= they looked at each other) .
I shook hands and exchanged a few words with the manager.
The two men exchanged blows (= hit each other) .
Everyone in the group exchanged email addresses.
MONEY / GOODS
2.
exchange A for B to give or return sth that you have and get sth different or better instead
SYN change :
You can exchange your currency for dollars in the hotel.
If it doesn't fit, take it back and the store will exchange it.
CONTRACTS
3.
exchange contracts ( especially BrE ) to sign a contract with the person that you are buying sth from, especially a house or land
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IDIOMS
see word noun
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French eschange (noun), eschangier (verb), based on changer , from late Latin cambiare , from Latin cambire barter. The spelling was influenced by Latin ex- out, utterly (see ex- ).