import-export
UK[ˌɪm.pɔːt ˈek.spɔːt]US[ˌɪm.pɔːrt ˈek.spɔːrt]
n
The business of buying goods from one country and selling them to another.
adj
Relating to or involved in the business of importing and exporting.
Morpheme Breakdown
import
export
import
bring in
export
send out
Etymology
The compound term 'import-export' is a modern commercial coinage that directly juxtaposes two long-established trade verbs. 'Import' originates from Latin 'importare', combining 'in-' (into) and 'portare' (to carry), literally meaning 'to carry in'. Conversely, 'export' derives from Latin 'exportare', from 'ex-' (out) and the same 'portare', meaning 'to carry out'. Both roots share the Proto-Indo-European base per- (to lead, pass over), which also gives us 'port' and 'transport'. The hyphenated pairing emerged in business English to concisely describe the two-directional flow of international trade, encapsulating the core logistical activities of bringing foreign goods in and sending domestic goods out.
Analysis
Structure: import (bring in) + export (send out)
- import: From Latin 'importare' (to bring in, convey). In this compound, it functions as a noun/verb meaning 'to bring goods into a country'.
- export: From Latin 'exportare' (to carry out, send away). In this compound, it functions as a noun/verb meaning 'to send goods to another country'.
Examples
He works for a large import-export company based in Singapore.
The seminar covered the latest regulations affecting the import-export industry.
Their business license allows them to engage in general import-export.