swap

1 of 2

verb

ˈswäp 

swapped; swapping

transitive verb

1

a

: to give in trade : barter

b

: exchange sense 2

2

: to take turns in telling

swap stories

intransitive verb

: to make an exchange

swapper noun

swap

2 of 2

noun

: an act, instance, or process of exchanging one thing for another

Synonyms of swap

Verb

• exchange
• trade
• substitute
• change

Noun

• exchange

Examples of swap in a Sentence

Verb

He swapped his cupcake for a candy bar.

I swapped seats with my sister so she could see the stage better.

I liked her blue notebook and she liked my red one, so we swapped.

Noun

They made the swap in secret.

we made a swap: I'll do the dishes tonight and she'll do them for me tomorrow

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Padilla and Gosling were a teacher and principal in another sketch reading passed notes out loud that, according to text on screen, were swapped out since rehearsal, causing both to crack up uncontrollably. —Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026

But the possibility of Texas swapping seeds with South Carolina now exists. —Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026

Noun

The chance of a rate cut on March 19 was more than 80% until the strikes on Iran, but have since dropped to little more than a 10% according to swap markets. —Irina Anghel, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

The Colts are trading Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a late-round pick swap. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English swappen to strike; from the practice of striking hands in closing a business deal

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1625, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing swap

• swap meet
• swap stories

Rhymes for swap

• bop
• chop
• cop
• crop
• drop
• flop
• fop
• hop
• knop
• lop
• mop
• op

Kids Definition

swap

verb

ˈswäp

swapped; swapping

: to give in exchange : make an exchange : trade

swap noun

Legal Definition

swap

noun

ˈswäp

1

: an exchange of securities

2

: a derivative contract in which two parties (as corporations) agree to exchange rates especially relating to debt