toggle

[ tog-uhl ]
See synonyms for toggle on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a pin, bolt, or rod placed transversely through a chain, an eye or loop in a rope, etc., as to bind it temporarily to another chain or rope similarly treated.

  2. a toggle joint, or a device having one.

  1. an ornamental, rod-shaped button for inserting into a large buttonhole, loop, or frog, used especially on sports clothes.

  2. Theater.

    • Also called toggle rail . a wooden batten across the width of a flat, for strengthening the frame.

    • Also called toggle iron. a metal device for fastening a toggle rail to a frame.

verb (used with object),tog·gled, tog·gling.
  1. to furnish with a toggle.

  2. to bind or fasten with a toggle.

  1. Informal. to turn, twist, or manipulate a toggle switch; dial or turn the switch of (an appliance): He toggled the TV between the baseball game and the news.

Origin of toggle

1
First recorded in 1760–70; perhaps variant of tackle

Other words from toggle

  • toggler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for toggle

toggle

/ (ˈtɒɡəl) /


noun
  1. a wooden peg or metal rod fixed crosswise through an eye at the end of a rope, chain, or cable, for fastening temporarily by insertion through an eye in another rope, chain, etc

  2. a wooden or plastic bar-shaped button inserted through a loop for fastening

  1. a pin inserted into a nautical knot to keep it secure

  2. machinery a toggle joint or a device having such a joint

verb
  1. (tr) to supply or fasten with a toggle or toggles

  2. computing (intr, often foll by between) to switch to a different option, view, application, etc

Origin of toggle

1
C18: of unknown origin

Derived forms of toggle

  • toggler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012