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

“My mom was a vendor at swap meets and I would go to work with her,” Martinez tells me.

From Los Angeles Times

They had not long set sail when they learned the wrong coffin had been loaded so they returned to port and it was swapped over - in full view of the bemused passengers.

From BBC

Exactly how much money changes hands and who benefits from these "oil swaps" is just one of the unknowns in these deals.

From BBC

Orlov now lives in Germany in enforced exile after he was released in a prisoner swap in August.

From BBC

It is increasingly becoming a key date in the calendar for those tasked with protecting taxpayers' money from fraudsters - a place where experts can swap tips and discuss the next big threat.

From BBC

Related Words

• substitute
• switch
• trade