toggle

American  

[tog-uhl] / ˈtɒg əl /

noun

1. 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.

2. a toggle joint, or a device having one.

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

4. Theater.

   1. Also called toggle rail.  a wooden batten across the width of a flat, for strengthening the frame.

   2. Also called toggle iron.  a metal device for fastening a toggle rail to a frame.

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verb (used with object)

toggled, toggling

1. to furnish with a toggle.

2. to bind or fasten with a toggle.

3. 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.

toggle British  

/ ˈtɒɡəl /

noun

1. 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

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

3. a pin inserted into a nautical knot to keep it secure

4. machinery a toggle joint or a device having such a joint

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verb

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

2. computing to switch to a different option, view, application, etc

Other Word Forms

• toggler noun

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

What’s changed in that toggle between litigating and organizing and some of the other stuff that you do from Trump 1.0 to 2.0?

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

The songs toggle between guitar-heavy bangers and soulful melodies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Those aged 16 to 18 will be able to toggle off default safety settings like having their account set to private.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2025

“When the actor who’s playing the part is playing it with such confidence, it allows you to toggle back and forth between comedy and drama effortlessly,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2025

Mo held it up, and then peered closely at the toggle.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• dial
• knob
• switch