toggle

[tog-uhl]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of toggle¹

First recorded in 1760–70; perhaps variant of tackle

Word History and Origins

Origin of toggle¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Set on a country estate, it toggles between the Regency Era and the present and weaves together physics, history and a whodunnit involving the poet Lord Byron.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Bier, however, said that for users in countries "where speech has penalties," the feature includes privacy toggles that reveal only the region.

Read more on Barron's

These solids can be toggled between two distinct states.

Read more on Science Daily

Cursor’s tool allows users to toggle between different AI models, from OpenAI to Anthropic to Google and more.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To take off, simply hold the toggle switch forward.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dial 
• knob 
• switch