arbitrage

1 of 2

noun

ar·​bi·​trage ˈär-bə-ˌträzh How to pronounce arbitrage (audio)
1
: the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of securities or foreign exchange in different markets in order to profit from price discrepancies
2
: the purchase of the stock of a takeover target especially with a view to selling it profitably to the raider

arbitrage

2 of 2

verb

arbitraged; arbitraging

intransitive verb

: to engage in arbitrage

Examples of arbitrage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The regulator's recent action has raised questions about the line between arbitrage and market manipulation. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 24 July 2025 The deal’s completion is a win for arbitrage traders who were betting on the spread between Hess’s share price and the exchange ratio agreed with Chevron. Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025
Verb
So long as that dynamic endures, political actors will arbitrage growth for personal gain ensuring that the benefits of economic growth leak out through privileged channels. Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 Supply chain players, meanwhile, will find opportunities to arbitrage tariff differentials once Trump applies uniquely high rates to China but lower rates to other Asian exporters. Evan A. Feigenbaum, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arbitrage

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, literally, "decision-making, judgment," going back to Old French, "judgment pronounced by an arbiter," from arbitrer "to pass judgment" (borrowed from Latin arbitrārī "to consider, judge, decide," verbal derivative of arbitr-, arbiter "onlooker, arbiter") + -age -age

First Known Use

Noun

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arbitrage was in 1857

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arbitrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arbitrage. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

arbitrage

noun
ar·​bi·​trage ˈär-bə-ˌträzh How to pronounce arbitrage (audio)
1
: the purchase of a security, commodity, or foreign currency in one market for the purpose of immediately selling it at a higher price in another market
2
: the purchase of the stock of a takeover target especially for the purpose of selling it to the raider for a profit
Etymology

Noun

French, literally, arbitration, decision-making

More from Merriam-Webster on arbitrage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!