exchange

Universal Words 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 get you out of the country and you keep your mouth shut. 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. seealsoPARTEXCHANGE 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? seealsoFOREIGNEXCHANGE 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 seealsoSTOCKEXCHANGE telephone 6 [C] = TELEPHONEEXCHANGE verb [VN] give and receive 1 ~ 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 telephone numbers. * I heard them exchange words (= argue). money / goods 2 ~ A for B to give or return sth that you have and get sth different or better instead: 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 ~ contracts (especially BrE) to sign a contract with the person that you are buying sth from, especially a house or land: The firm has just exchanged contracts on a nine-acre site. IDIOMS see WORDn.