swap

especially British, swop

[swop]

verb (used with object)

swapped, swapping 

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 byin ).

   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 byout ).

   To cut down on fat, swap cream for milk.

verb (used without object)

swapped, swapping 

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 called: swap option.  swaption. 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 )

Other Word Forms

• swapper noun
• unswapped 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

But big questions remained about how the U.S. can finalize its support, in the form of a $20 billion currency swap and a separate $20 billion private debt facility, people familiar with the matter said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Treasury officials have announced direct peso purchases and a $20 billion currency swap designed to shore up the currency.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Information on these connections will go on display at both museums this winter and a series of lecture swaps are also planned "creating a mutual exchange of knowledge and culture".

Read more on BBC

When asked why a tape swap like this is important for the community, Alonso says, “It keeps everything alive.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It has now offered Argentina a potential $40bn lifeline via the combination of a currency swap, buying pesos and arranging private investment.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• substitute 
• switch 
• trade