toggle
Americannoun
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a pin, bolt, or rod placed transversely through a chain, an eye or loop in a rope, etc., as to bind it temporarily to another chain or rope similarly treated.
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a toggle joint, or a device having one.
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an ornamental, rod-shaped button for inserting into a large buttonhole, loop, or frog, used especially on sports clothes.
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Theater.
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Also called toggle rail. a wooden batten across the width of a flat, for strengthening the frame.
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Also called toggle iron. a metal device for fastening a toggle rail to a frame.
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verb (used with object)
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to furnish with a toggle.
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to bind or fasten with a toggle.
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Informal. to turn, twist, or manipulate a toggle switch; dial or turn the switch of (an appliance).
He toggled the TV between the baseball game and the news.
noun
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a wooden peg or metal rod fixed crosswise through an eye at the end of a rope, chain, or cable, for fastening temporarily by insertion through an eye in another rope, chain, etc
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a wooden or plastic bar-shaped button inserted through a loop for fastening
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a pin inserted into a nautical knot to keep it secure
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machinery a toggle joint or a device having such a joint
verb
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(tr) to supply or fasten with a toggle or toggles
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computing to switch to a different option, view, application, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of toggle
First recorded in 1760–70; perhaps variant of tackle
Explanation
Use the word toggle for a switch that has two positions, on and off. As a verb, it means "switch or alternate," the way you toggle between screens as you video chat with two friends at once. The 18th century definition of toggle was "pin passed through the eye of a rope to hold it in place." It's still used for a similar kind of fastener, as well as for an up-and-down switch such as a light switch. In computer technology, a toggle is an on-off command, like the key that turns your caps lock on or off. You can also use this word figuratively: you might find it difficult to toggle between French homework and Spanish homework without mixing up your verbs.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Is it possible that Tesla provides a short term rally? Yes, absolutely," said Giuseppe Sette, president of the quantitative research firm Toggle.
From Reuters • Jul. 21, 2022
Toggle them all off and restart your computer.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 25, 2022
Toggle bolts are another option for walls made of hollow concrete blocks; however, get bolts that are long enough to hold the folded wings until they are deep enough inside the block to spring open.
From Washington Post • May 2, 2022
Toggle on or off the Sleep Tracking or All-Day Tracking settings.
From The Verge • Apr. 19, 2022
Toggle and cinch perform their proud functions, and I sleep undisturbed by Arctic nightmares, for I have substituted green ties for the stoneware buttons which reduced my vitality by absorbing heat.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, November 14, 1917 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
