swap

1 of 2

verb

swapped; swapping

transitive verb

1
a
: to give in trade : barter
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
After that match, Messi swapped jerseys with former Sporting KC striker Alan Pulido. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2025 The baked pasta was swapped for tacos al pastor, and the name changed to San Lucas Pizzeria. Luke Fortney, Bon Appétit, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
Washington received veteran forward Khris Middleton, rookie guard AJ Johnson, the right to a 2028 first-round pick swap and cash. Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025 The revelation prompted further alarm over the future of the brittle truce and hostage-for-prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel. Johnatan Reiss, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swap

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of swap was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Swap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swap. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on swap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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