Which term describes the process of giving up something in exchange for something else?

The term that accurately describes the process of giving up something in exchange for something else is "exchange." In economics, exchange refers to the act of trading goods, services, or resources between parties. This fundamental concept illustrates how individuals and businesses forgo certain goods or services to obtain others that they value more highly.

For example, when you trade money for a meal, you are relinquishing your money (something you have) in order to acquire food (something you want). This mutual benefit underpins many transactions in an economy, driving supply and demand as parties seek to maximize their satisfaction or utility through trade.

Other terms do not fit this definition as neatly. Specialisation refers to focusing on a specific task or product to improve efficiency, derived demand relates to the demand for a product resulting from the demand for another product, and market transaction generally describes the overall process of trading but doesn’t emphasize the aspect of giving up one item for another in the way that "exchange" does.