toggle

[ tog-uh l ]
/ ˈtɒg əl /

noun

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.
a toggle joint, or a device having one.
an ornamental, rod-shaped button for inserting into a large buttonhole, loop, or frog, used especially on sports clothes.
Theater.
  1. Also called toggle rail. a wooden batten across the width of a flat, for strengthening the frame.
  2. Also called toggle iron. a metal device for fastening a toggle rail to a frame.

verb (used with object), tog·gled, tog·gling.

Origin of toggle

First recorded in 1760–70; perhaps variant of tackle

OTHER WORDS FROM toggle

tog·gler, noun

Example sentences from the Web for toggle

British Dictionary definitions for toggle

toggle
/ (ˈtɒɡəl) /

noun

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
a wooden or plastic bar-shaped button inserted through a loop for fastening
a pin inserted into a nautical knot to keep it secure
machinery a toggle joint or a device having such a joint

verb

(tr) to supply or fasten with a toggle or toggles
computing (intr, often foll by between) to switch to a different option, view, application, etc

Derived forms of toggle

toggler, noun

Word Origin for toggle

C18: of unknown origin