Swap Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

1 swap

verb

also British

swop

/ˈswɑːp/

swaps;

swapped;

swapping

1 swap

verb

also British

swop

/ˈswɑːp/

swaps;

swapped;

swapping

Britannica Dictionary definition of SWAP

1

:

to give something to someone and receive something in return

:

to trade or exchange (things)

[+ object]

  • He swapped his cupcake for a candy bar.

  • He swapped desserts with his brother. = He and his brother swapped desserts.

  • I'll swap my sandwich for your popcorn. = I'll swap you my sandwich for your popcorn.

  • I swapped seats with my sister so she could see the stage better.

  • We often get together and swap [=exchange] recipes.

  • We spent some time swapping stories about our college days. [=telling each other stories about our college days]

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[no object]

  • I liked her blue notebook and she liked my red one, so we swapped.

  • He wanted the window seat so we swapped. = (Brit) He wanted the window seat so we swapped over.

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2

:

to replace (something) with something else

[+ object]

  • He swapped (out) his hard drive for a bigger one.

  • The nurse swapped [=switched] the patients' charts by mistake.

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[no object]

  • (Brit) Our company decided to swap over to a new supplier.

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2 swap

/ˈswɑːp/

noun

plural

swaps

2 swap

/ˈswɑːp/

noun

plural

swaps

Britannica Dictionary definition of SWAP

[count]

:

an act of giving or taking one thing in return for another thing

:

a trade or exchange

  • They made the swap in secret.

  • an even swap

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Swap Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

FAQs

Swap Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary? ›

: to give something to someone and receive something in return : to trade or exchange (things)

What is the full meaning of swap? ›

to exchange, barter, or trade, as one thing for another: He swapped his wrist watch for the radio. to substitute (one thing) for another (sometimes followed by in ):

What is the original meaning of the word swap? ›

The word swap means you give something in exchange for something else. In the medieval ages, a farmer would swap — or exchange — his cow for his neighbor's horse. First used in the 1590s to mean "exchange, barter, trade," as a noun swap can mean an equal exchange.

What does the expression swap mean? ›

: to give in trade : barter. b. : exchange sense 2. 2. : to take turns in telling.

What does it mean to swap each other? ›

1. verb. If you swap something with someone, you give it to them and receive a different thing in exchange.

What is the legal definition of a swap? ›

A derivatives contract that is entered into bilaterally between two parties (known as counterparties) that agree to exchange specified cash flows based on: The value of an equity security or index of securities. The value of a commodity or index of commodities. Fluctuations in interest rates.

What is the main purpose of swap? ›

A swap is an agreement or a derivative contract between two parties for a financial exchange so that they can exchange cash flows or liabilities. Through a swap, one party promises to make a series of payments in exchange for receiving another set of payments from the second party.

Is swap good or bad? ›

Swap space can play a role in handling system crashes and kernel dumps in a limited way, but its primary purpose is to manage system memory, and it may not directly impact the behavior of kernel dumps or system crashes.

What is the technical meaning of swap? ›

An Internet-based protocol designed to provide a Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP)-based way to access a generic workflow service or a workflow enabled process or to interoperate with it.

What is the synonym of swap? ›

bandy. bargain. barter. change. give-and-take.

How do you explain swaps? ›

A swap is a derivative contract where one party exchanges or "swaps" the cash flows or value of one asset for another. For example, a company paying a variable rate of interest may swap its interest payments with another company that will then pay the first company a fixed rate.

What is an example of a swap? ›

A swap in the financial world refers to a derivative contract where one party will exchange the value of an asset or cash flows with another. For example, a company that is paying a variable interest rate might swap its interest payments with another company that will then pay a fixed rate to the first company.

What is the acronym for swap? ›

SWaP is an Acronym commonly used in the security/aerospace industries. It stands for Size Weight and Power, referring to the size, weight and power consumption requirements of specific components in systems or for the whole system itself.

What is swapping in relationship? ›

a form of group sex in which two or more couples mutually agree to exchange partners or spouses for the purpose of sexual intercourse. The practice may also include watching one's partner participate in sexual intercourse with another person's partner. Also called mate swapping; wife swapping.

What is the nearest meaning of swap in English? ›

to give up (something) and take something else in return we swapped our other lawn mower for our neighbors' old snowblower. exchange. trade. substitute. change.

Why is swap important? ›

The reasons for doing so are many, and are generally intended to optimize the company's debt structure. Likewise, a swap can also be useful for a company that has issued bonds in a foreign currency and wants to convert those payments into local currency by contracting a cross-currency swap.

What is a full swap in a relationship? ›

full swap (plural full swaps) a swinging practice in which two couples swap partners. synonym ▲ Synonym: hard swap.

What does the acronym swap stand for? ›

SWaP is an Acronym commonly used in the security/aerospace industries. It stands for Size Weight and Power, referring to the size, weight and power consumption requirements of specific components in systems or for the whole system itself.

Why do people use swap? ›

For example, a company paying a variable rate of interest may swap its interest payments with another company that will then pay the first company a fixed rate. Swaps can also be used to exchange other kinds of value or risk like the potential for a credit default in a bond.

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