toggle

[tog-uh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR toggle ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

a toggle joint, or a device having one.

an ornamental, rod-shaped button for inserting into a large buttonhole, loop, or frog, used especially on sports clothes.

Theater.

Also called toggle rail.a wooden batten across the width of a flat, for strengthening the frame.
Also called toggle iron.a metal device for fastening a toggle rail to a frame.

verb (used with object), tog·gled, tog·gling.

to furnish with a toggle.

to bind or fasten with a toggle.

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.

Origin of toggle

First recorded in 1760–70; perhaps variant of tackle

Related formstog·gler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for toggle

knob, switch, dial, tuner, adjuster

Examples from the Web for toggle

Historical Examples of toggle

Its toggle switch was at the “on” position, and it was lying on its side.
The Untouchable
Stephen A. Kallis
The hatchet he had been using to cut a toggle was lying by his knee.
Cat and Mouse
Ralph Williams
A handkerchief and toggle, or stick of any kind, is sometimes substituted.
The Sailor's Word-Book
William Henry Smyth
Gliders were casting off their toggle hooks and swooping earthward.
A Yankee Flier in Italy
Rutherford G. Montgomery
With a muttered curse, Merrick flipped a toggle and the scene dimmed.
Turning Point
Alfred Coppel

British Dictionary definitions for toggle

toggle

noun

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

a wooden or plastic bar-shaped button inserted through a loop for fastening

a pin inserted into a nautical knot to keep it secure

machinery a toggle joint or a device having such a joint

verb

(tr) to supply or fasten with a toggle or toggles

computing (intr, often foll by between) to switch to a different option, view, application, etc

Derived Formstoggler, noun

Word Origin for toggle

C18: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for toggle

1769, "short pin passed through the eye of a rope," a nautical word of uncertain origin, perhaps a frequentative form of tog "tug." Meaning "a kind of wall fastener" is recorded from 1934. Toggle bolt is from 1794; toggle switch first attested 1938.

1836, from toggle (n.). Related: Toggled; toggling.