English Reference
noun · adjective · verb

trading

n. · adj. · v.
US /ˈtɹeɪdɪŋ/ UK /tɹˈeɪdɪŋ/ trad·ing

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Economics

    n.the act of buying and selling things, especially on a large scale or in financial markets.

    n.the activity or business of buying and selling goods and services, or the exchange of financial assets.

    Simple

    Online trading has made it much easier for regular people to buy stocks.

    In context

    The volume of high-frequency trading on the stock exchange has increased significantly over the last decade, leading to concerns about market stability.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general activity.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.used to describe a person, company, or country that buys and sells things.

    adj.engaged in trade or commerce; used attributively to describe entities or periods involved in commercial exchange.

    Simple

    The city has been an important trading centre for hundreds of years.

    In context

    The company released its annual report, highlighting a successful trading year despite the global economic downturn.

    Usage

    Almost always appears before the noun it modifies.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.the action of exchanging one thing for another.

    v.the present participle or gerund of 'trade', describing the ongoing act of exchange.

    Simple

    I am thinking of trading my old car for a newer model.

    In context

    By trading information with their competitors, the two firms managed to establish a more efficient supply chain.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'for' or 'with'.

    swappingbartering

Usage trading partners · trading company · trading system

Through the trading company Suzuki Shoten , the smelly oil was originally exported to Europe, where it was turned into a solid, odorless fat through a process called hydrogenation .

The Conversation· 14 Aug 2026

He laughs out loud because, with the other hand, they sign agreements – or used to sign agreements – with Russia on trading oil, gas, diamonds…all that stuff.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated