The difference between Replace and Swap

When used as verbs, replace means to restore to a former place, position, condition, etc, whereas swap means to exchange or give (something) in an exchange (for something else).

Swap is also noun with the meaning: an exchange of two comparable things.

check bellow for the other definitions of Replace and Swap

  1. Replace as a verb (transitive):

    To restore to a former place, position, condition, etc.; to put back

    Examples:

    "When you've finished using the telephone, please replace the handset."

    "The earl...was replaced in his government.'' rfdatek Francis Bacon"

  2. Replace as a verb (transitive):

    To refund; to repay; to restore

    Examples:

    "You can take what you need from the petty cash, but you must replace it tomorrow morning."

  3. Replace as a verb (transitive):

    To supply or substitute an equivalent for.

    Examples:

    "I replaced my car with a newer model."

    "The batteries were dead so I replaced them"

  4. Replace as a verb (transitive):

    To take the place of; to supply the want of; to fulfill the end or office of.

    Examples:

    "This security pass replaces the one you were given earlier."

    "This duty of right intention does not replace or supersede the duty of consideration.'' rfdatek William Whewell"

  5. Replace as a verb (transitive):

    To demolish a building and build an updated form of that building in its place.

  6. Replace as a verb (transitive, rare):

    To place again.

  7. Replace as a verb (transitive, rare):

    To put in a new or different place.

  1. Swap as a verb (transitive):

    To exchange or give (something) in an exchange (for something else).

    Examples:

    "synonyms exchange switch trade"

  2. Swap as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To hit, to strike.

  3. Swap as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To beat the air, or ply the wings, with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap.

  4. Swap as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

    To descend or fall; to rush hastily or violently.

  1. Swap as a noun:

    An exchange of two comparable things.

    Examples:

    "quote-book lang=1819 w Sir Walter Scott w Tales of My Landlord section=The Bride of Lammermoor passage=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"

  2. Swap as a noun (finance):

    A financial derivative in which two parties agree to exchange one stream of cashflow against another stream.

  3. Swap as a noun (computing, informal, uncountable):

    Space available in a swap file for use as auxiliary memory.

    Examples:

    "How much swap do you need?"

  1. Swap as a noun (obsolete, UK, dialect):

    A blow; a stroke.

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