toggle

1 of 2

noun

tog·​gle ˈtä-gəl 

1

: a piece or device for holding or securing: such as

a

: a pin inserted in a nautical knot to make it more secure or easier to slip

b

: a crosspiece attached to the end of or to a loop in something (such as a chain, rope, line, strap, or belt) usually to prevent slipping, to serve in twisting or tightening, or to hold something attached

2

: a device consisting of two bars jointed together end to end but not in line so that when a force is applied to the joint tending to straighten it pressure will be exerted on the parts adjacent or fixed to the outer ends of the bars

also : a device with a joint using a toggle

3

computers : a setting that can be switched between two different options by performing a single action (such as selecting a menu option or pressing a key)

toggle

2 of 2

verb

toggled; toggling ˈtä-g(ə-)liŋ  ; toggles

transitive verb

1

: to fasten with or as if with a toggle

2

: to furnish with a toggle

3

: to switch between two different options for (something, such as a computer setting) usually by pressing a single button or a simple key combination

toggle the sound on a computer off and on

intransitive verb

: to switch between usually two different options, states, or activities : alternate, cycle

Prevent bad habits by intervening when kids toggle between texting and studying …

—Phyllis Fagell

The brain continues to toggle back and forth between non-REM and REM sleep throughout the night, once every hour and a half.

—Alice Park et al.

specifically : to change between usually two options of an electronic device by means of a simple hardware or software control (such as a button, a switch, or a combination of keys)

You also get … an icon that lets you toggle between keyboard and gamepad controls.

—Ian Paul

Users can toggle between these three views at any time, offering a more customizable way to consume the content on the site.

—Arielle Pardes

… a prompt asks for permission to access the front-facing camera. As with any app, this permission can be toggled on or off …

—Joe Rossignol

Using the steering wheel, you can toggle through various layouts including navigation, trip computer, audio, driver's assistance features, and a tachometer.

—Benjamin Zhang

Examples of toggle in a Sentence

Noun

Instead of buttons, the jacket has toggles.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And then there’s a forward and reverse motor toggle, as well as a USB-C slot for recharging the lithium ion battery. —Scott Kramer, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

One button toggles which of the two lights are on, and the other button cycles brightness levels and red. —Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024

Verb

The low-latency feature will also be available on the driver level accessible from the software, allowing players to toggle it for games that don't natively support XeLL. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

And if the site draws a blank, the user can toggle a button and search for new items. —Elissaveta M. Brandon, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing toggle

• toggle bolt
• toggle switch

Kids Definition

toggle

1 of 2 noun

tog·​gle ˈtäg-əl 

: a crosspiece attached to the end of or to a loop in a rope, chain, or belt to prevent slipping or to serve as a fastening or as a grip for tightening

used a stick as a toggle in tightening a rope

toggle

2 of 2 verb

1

: to fasten with or as if with a toggle

2

: to furnish with a toggle

3

: to switch between two options especially of an electronic device usually by pressing a single button or a simple key combination