stock exchange

/stɑk ɛkˈstʃeɪndʒ/

/stɒk ɛksˈtʃeɪndʒ/

Other forms: stock exchanges

A stock exchange is a place where financial assets (like stocks and bonds) are traded. Through a stock exchange businesses can sell shares of their company to investors.

The stock market is a general term that includes all stock exchanges. An individual stock exchange is a kind of trading market where people who want to buy stock connect with people selling stock, usually with the help of a broker (also known as a stockbroker). If you want to own a tiny piece of a big company, like Microsoft or Starbucks, you can buy shares through a stock exchange.

Definitions of stock exchange

1. noun

   an exchange where security trading is conducted by professional stockbrokers
   synonyms: securities market, stock market

   examples:

   American Stock Exchange

   a stock exchange in New York

   Bourse

   the stock exchange in Paris

   New York Stock Exchange

   a stock exchange in New York

   types:

   curb market

   a stock market for trading in securities not listed on the New York Stock Exchange

   OTC market, over-the-counter market

   a stock exchange where securities transactions are made via telephone and computer rather than on the floor of an exchange

   type of:

   exchange

   a workplace for buying and selling; open only to members