verb (used without object)
- to trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money.
verb (used with object)
- to exchange in trade, as one commodity for another; trade.
- to bargain away unwisely or dishonorably (usually followed by away): bartering away his pride for material gain.
noun
- the act or practice of bartering.
- items or an item for bartering: We arrived with new barter for the villagers.
verb
- to trade (goods, services, etc) in exchange for other goods, services, etc, rather than for moneythe refugees bartered for food
- (intr) to haggle over the terms of such an exchange; bargain
noun
- trade by the exchange of goods
mid-15c., apparently from Old French barater “to barter, cheat, deceive, haggle” (also, “to have sexual intercourse”), 12c., of uncertain origin, perhaps from a Celtic language (cf. Irish brath “treachery”). Connection between “trading” and “cheating” exists in several languages. Related: Bartered; bartering. The noun is first recorded 1590s, from the verb.
The exchange of goods or services for other goods or services, rather than for money.