swap

[ swop ]

verb (used with object)

, swapped, swap·ping.

1. to exchange, barter, or trade, as one thing for another:

   He swapped his wrist watch for the radio.

2. to substitute (one thing) for another (sometimes followed by in ):

   Swap in red wine for white, since powerful nutrients are in the red grape's skin.

3. to replace (one thing) with another (sometimes followed by out ):

   To cut down on fat, swap cream for milk.

verb (used without object)

, swapped, swap·ping.

1. to make an exchange.

noun

1. an exchange:

   He got the radio in a swap.

swap

/ swɒp /

verb

1. to trade or exchange (something or someone) for another

noun

1. an exchange
2. something that is exchanged
3. Also calledswap optionswaption finance a contract in which the parties to it exchange liabilities on outstanding debts, often exchanging fixed interest-rate for floating-rate debts ( debt swap ), either as a means of managing debt or in trading ( swap trading )

Derived Forms

• ˈswapper, noun

Other Words From

• swapper noun
• un·swapped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swap¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English swappen “to strike, strike hands (in bargaining)”; cognate with dialectal German schwappen “to clap, box (the ears)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of swap¹

C14 (in the sense: to shake hands on a bargain, strike): probably of imitative origin

Example Sentences

He says that as cells get lighter and more powerful, the company can swap them out for newer models to improve performance.

From BBC

And if he feels compelled to retire under Trump, that swap would push the court even further to the right.

From Slate

Francis was returned to California last December under a prisoner swap between the US and Venezuela that saw Washington release an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for 10 American detainees.

From BBC

In two months, they’ve spent $2,500 on 28 small plushes and three large ones, driving to Pop Marts all over Southern California twice a week and meeting other collectors in coffee shops and at their homes to swap figurines.

From Los Angeles Times

It said the baby swap was an “appalling error” for which it had accepted legal liability.

From BBC

Related Words

• substitute
• switch
• trade