DictionaryinterchangeReciprocal exchange
noun / verb

interchange

The exchange of one thing for another.

The meeting encouraged an interchange of ideas.

Etymology

The prefix supplies the sense of between or mutually. Interchange therefore describes changing one thing for another across the parties involved.

More examples

  • The two components can be interchanged.
  • She interchanged the front and rear panels.
  • A lively interchange followed the presentation.

Forms

interchange · interchanges · interchanged · interchanging

Similar words

exchange
Exchange is the ordinary equivalent; interchange can emphasize reciprocal communication or replacement.
substitution
Substitution replaces one thing with another; interchange often allows the two to swap positions.