What does "trades" mean?

1. (skilled manual jobs) jobs that require special manual skills and training, like being a plumber or an electrician. 2. (industry magazines) magazines or websites that report news for a specific business or industry. 3. (steady winds) strong, steady winds that blow across the ocean toward the equator. 4. (multiple exchanges) the plural of trade; more than one act of buying, selling, or swapping.

How do you use "trades"?

Often preceded by 'the' when referring to the sector as a whole. Usually plural and often preceded by 'the'.

trades

US //ˈtɹeɪdz// UK //tɹˈeɪdz// trades

1 skilled manual jobs (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

jobs that require special manual skills and training, like being a plumber or an electrician.

the building and manufacturing vocations involving skilled manual labour.

Example

Many young people are choosing to learn trades like carpentry instead of going to university.

Example

The local college offers specialized certifications in the construction trades to meet the growing demand for qualified electricians and masons.

Usage

Often preceded by 'the' when referring to the sector as a whole.
- professions
2 industry magazines (n.)
C1 Advanced Informal

magazines or websites that report news for a specific business or industry.

publications dedicated to a specific industry, providing news and data to professionals within that field.

Example

The actor was excited to see his name mentioned in the Hollywood trades.

Example

Industry insiders closely monitor the trades for any early indications of a shift in corporate strategy or upcoming mergers.

Teacher's tip

This is a common shorthand in industries like film, fashion, and publishing.
- journals
- periodicals

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3 steady winds (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

strong, steady winds that blow across the ocean toward the equator.

the trade winds; consistent tropical winds blowing from the northeast or southeast toward the equator.

Example

In the past, sailors relied on the trades to carry their ships across the Atlantic.

Example

The reliability of the trades allowed for the establishment of consistent maritime commercial routes between Europe and the Americas.

Usage

Usually plural and often preceded by 'the'.
- trade winds
4 multiple exchanges (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the plural of trade; more than one act of buying, selling, or swapping.

the plural form of trade, referring to multiple instances of commercial exchange or bartering.

Example

The stock market saw thousands of trades in the first hour of opening.

Example

The collector made several clever trades at the convention to complete her set of rare stamps.

Idioms3 entries