interchange

American  

[in-ter-cheynj, in-ter-cheynj] / ˌɪn tərˈtʃeɪndʒ, ˈɪn tərˌtʃeɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

interchanged, interchanging

1. to put each in the place of the other.

   to interchange pieces of modular furniture.

2. to cause (one thing) to change places with another; transpose.

3. to give and receive (things) reciprocally; exchange.

   The twins interchanged clothes frequently.

4. to cause to follow one another alternately; alternate.

   to interchange business cares with pleasures.

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verb (used without object)

interchanged, interchanging

1. to occur by turns or in succession; alternate.

2. to change places, as two persons or things, or as one with another.

noun

1. an act or instance of interchanging; reciprocal exchange.

   the interchange of commodities.

2. a changing of places, as between two persons or things, or of one with another.

3. alternation; alternate succession.

4. a highway intersection consisting of a system of several different road levels arranged so that vehicles may move from one road to another without crossing the streams of traffic.

interchange British  

verb

1. to change places or cause to change places; alternate; exchange; switch

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noun

1. the act of interchanging; exchange or alternation

2. a motorway junction of interconnecting roads and bridges designed to prevent streams of traffic crossing one another

Other Word Forms

• interchangeability noun
• interchangeable adjective
• interchangeably adverb
• interchanger noun
• preinterchange noun

Etymology

Origin of interchange

1325–75; inter- + change; replacing Middle English entrechaungen < Middle French entrechangier

Example Sentences

Hence why we're seeing this new formation again, with the interchange and false nine.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Any legislative tinkering that results in lower interchange rates “could be devastating for rewards,” said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026

Most revenue comes at the other end of the transaction, in interchange or “swipe” fees paid by merchants.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

If the merger happens, Union Pacific says it could build more trains specifically for destinations on the Eastern seaboard, reducing the need for railcars to be decoupled at a busy interchange.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

He retailed to them the curious interchange of phrases he had overheard on the journey from Aleppo.

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie

Related Words

• give-and-take
• intersection
• junction
• networking