Definition

1. Noun:

   • An equal exchange: A swap is a transaction where two parties trade items of equivalent value directly with each other.
   • A mutual substitution: The act of replacing one thing with another in a reciprocal manner.

2. Verb:

   • To exchange or trade: To give something and receive something else in return.
   • To replace or substitute: To take the place of something else, often in a mutual agreement.
   • (Computing) To move data into memory: In computer science, to transfer a piece of a program from storage into active memory.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • They made a fair swap: my comic book for his video game.
  • The team made a player swap before the big game.

• Verb:

  • Let's swap seats so you can see the screen better.
  • I'll swap my sandwich for your apple.
  • The operating system will swap the data to the hard drive when RAM is full.

Advanced Usage

• "swap out": To remove something and replace it with another.
  • The mechanic will swap out the old battery for a new one.
• "swap over": To exchange positions or roles.
  • Can we swap over? I'd like to try driving now.

Variants and Related Words

• Swapper (n): A person or entity that swaps.
  • He's a frequent book swapper at the community library.
• Swappable (adj): Capable of being exchanged.
  • The parts are swappable between the two models.

Synonyms

• Exchange: To give and receive reciprocally.
• Trade: To barter or deal in the exchange of goods.
• Barter: To trade goods or services without using money.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Swap around: To change the positions of several things.
  • We swapped the furniture around to give the room a new look.
• Swap in: To put something new into a position or role.
  • The coach decided to swap in a fresh player.

Related Idioms

• Swap horses in midstream: To change plans or leaders in the middle of an important activity. (Often used in the negative: "Don't swap horses in midstream.")
  • The project is going well; it's too risky to swap horses in midstream now.
• Swap stories: To exchange anecdotes or personal experiences.
  • The old friends sat by the fire, swapping stories about their youth.

Noun

1. an equal exchange
   • we had no money so we had to live by barter

Verb

1. move (a piece of a program) into memory, in computer science
2. exchange or give (something) in exchange for