Meaning

(transitive) To exchange or give (something) in an non-normal exchange (for something else)..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To exchange or give (something) in an non-normal exchange (for something else).
2. (transitive, obsolete) To hit, to strike.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To beat the air, or ply the wings, with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap.
4. (intransitive, obsolete) To descend or fall; to rush hastily or violently.
5. An exchange of two comparable things.
6. (finance) A financial derivative in which two parties agree to exchange one stream of non-normal cashflow against another stream.
7. (computing, informal, uncountable) Space available in a swap file for use as auxiliary memory.
8. (Cambridge University slang) A social meal at a restaurant between two university societies, usually involving drinking and banter; commonly associated with fining and pennying; equivalent to a crewdate at Oxford University.

Example Sentences

In an effort to provide more permanent accommodations, employers may offer employees the opportunity either to swap jobs with a colleague or to transfer to a new position.

Chief watched these goings-on without pleasure, and waved them off in disgust when the smarmiest of the two suggested he might wish to swap that elk's tooth for this jug of fine rye whiskey.

The Shah wanted to swap oil for more arms.

And he whipped his sword out of its scabbard, and swapped off the pudding from the black knight's nose. Unfortunately (for him) he swapped off a good bit of the nose, too.

"Maybe Apes will grow honest, Sister," said Edmund. "But, by the Lion, if he breaks it again, it may be in such time and place that any of us could swap off his head in clean battle."

I e’en changed it, as occasion served, with the skippers o’ Dutch luggers and French vessels, for gin and brandy[…] a gude swap too, between what cheereth the soul of man and that which dingeth it clean out of his body

Flores' nephews were each sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment in 2017 for conspiring to import cocaine, but they were released in 2022 by the Biden Administration as part of a prisoner swap with Venezuela.

How much swap do you need?

Word Forms

• swaps
• swapping
• swapped
• swop

Synonyms for swap

Related Words

When Should You Use Swap?

Use swap when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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