B2noun2K

Trading

UK /["/ˈtreɪdɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈtreɪdɪŋ/"]/

Definition

the activity of buying and selling things

In simple words: Exchanging goods or services for money or other goods.

Examples

new laws on Sunday trading *(= shops being open on Sundays)*
Supermarkets everywhere reported excellent trading in the run-up to Christmas.
Shares worth $8 million changed hands during a day of hectic trading.
In heavy trading, the 100-share index closed down 38 points.
Sole trading is where an individual carries on his or her own business.
a code of practice for fair trading

Usage notes

Used in business contexts or when discussing bartering. Avoid in very casual conversations not related to economics.

Grammar pattern

trade + object

Memory hint

Think of 'trade' as exchanging items—imagine two people swapping cards.

Collocations

busy
heavy
hectic
begin
open
close
partner

Synonyms

exchanging
bartering
swapping
commerce
dealing

Antonyms

hoarding
withholding

Common mistakes

Confused with 'traded' as a past form instead of the noun.
Using 'trade' when 'trading' is appropriate in continuous tenses.
Mixing up 'trading' with 'traveling', as they sound similar.