stock exchange

American  

noun

1. a building or place where stocks and other securities are bought and sold.

2. an association of brokers and dealers in stocks and bonds who meet together and transact business according to fixed rules.

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stock exchange British  

noun

1. Also called: stock market. 

   1. a highly organized market facilitating the purchase and sale of securities and operated by professional stockbrokers and market makers according to fixed rules

   2. a place where securities are regularly traded

   3. ( as modifier )

      a stock-exchange operator

      stock-exchange prices

2. the prices or trading activity of a stock exchange

   the stock exchange fell heavily today

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stock exchange Cultural  

1. A place where stocks, bonds, and other securities are bought and sold.

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Discover More

In the United States, the two largest stock exchanges are the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Activity on these two exchanges is usually considered an indication of the state of the economy as a whole.

Etymology

Origin of stock exchange

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Ross has been publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange since 1985.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

The reverse merger will result in Powerus, which was formed last year, trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange in the coming months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Hong Kong's stock exchange reported record profits for the second consecutive year on Thursday, after the finance hub topped the global rankings for initial public offerings in 2025.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

With public companies going public later — or not at all — much of the most dynamic growth in the economy happens outside of the stock exchange.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

The Johannesburg stock exchange plunged and capital started to flow out of the country.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• exchange