swap

1 of 2

verb

ˈswäp How to pronounce swap (audio)
swapped; swapping
Synonyms of swapnext

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

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Bonnell says the battery can be swapped in roughly 30 seconds. — New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 McDonald's has swapped iconic fall flavors in its seasonal coffee lineup this year, leaving pumpkin spice off the menu for the first time in a decade. — James Powel, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
The 3rd Circuit concluded that sports event contracts involve events, namely the outcomes of sporting competitions, and therefore qualify as swaps. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026 This crescent bag is an easy style that will carry you into the evening without needing a bag swap. — Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing swap

Rhymes for swap

See All Rhymes for swap

Browse Nearby Words

swan-upping
swap
swape
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swap. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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