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

The Russian president also said he had agreed to a planned prisoner swap between Navalny and "some people" held in Western jails, on condition that Navalny did not come back to Russia.

From BBC

Three and a half years later he's been released in a prisoner swap, one of eight civilians freed in a surprise move.

From BBC

As the project comes to an end, the four teenagers swap stories of their tech-free week.

From BBC

"Please, can my son swap jerseys with you? He speaks so highly of you, and it would be his dream."

From BBC

Each state, even each district, was left to invent its own approach — tallying debts, cutting off charges or swapping hot meals for cheaper alternatives.

From Salon

Related Words

• substitute 
• switch 
• trade