verb / noun

swap

SWAHP/swɑːp/

An exchange of one holding for another.

The two men swap their different potted plants.

Two older men simultaneously exchange two different potted plants, each offering one plant and receiving the other.

Etymology

swapMiddle Englishto strike, strike hands together

Swappen meant “to strike”; its deeper origin is uncertain. The later senses “strike a bargain” and “exchange” perhaps arose from slapping hands together to signal agreement.

In context

Gary DeVries14:14

first things first i'd like to swap the seven with the seven of diamonds so i'm gonna move these over here

spider solitaire tips and strategies (difficult 4 suits)

More examples

Can we swap seats so I can see better?
They agreed to a swap: my bicycle for her guitar.
The companies use a swap to exchange fixed interest payments for variable ones.

Forms

swap · swaps · swapped · swapping

Similar words

exchange: A broader, more formal term for giving and receiving.
trade: Often emphasizes bargaining or the value of what changes hands.
barter: Specifically exchanges goods or services without using money.