English Reference
noun · verb

interchange

n. · v.
US /ˌɪnɝˈtʃeɪndʒ/ in·ter·change UK spelling interchanged, interchanges

  1. 01 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal

    n.the act of sharing or swapping ideas, information, or feelings between people.

    n.the mutual exchange of ideas, information, or sentiments between two or more parties.

    Simple

    The conference allowed for a useful interchange of ideas between the two teams.

    In context

    The symposium facilitated a vigorous interchange of perspectives, challenging established theories in the field of linguistics.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    n.a complex place where several big roads meet, designed so cars can change roads without stopping.

    n.a grade-separated highway junction allowing traffic to move between different routes without crossing other traffic streams.

    Simple

    Take the next interchange to get onto the main motorway heading north.

    In context

    The new multi-level interchange has significantly reduced the congestion previously caused by the old roundabout system.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    n.a station where different bus or train lines meet so you can switch between them.

    n.a facility or station designed to facilitate the transfer of passengers between different transport modes or lines.

    Simple

    The city built a new transport interchange where the trains and buses meet.

    In context

    The redevelopment project aims to transform the central station into a seamless transport interchange for commuters and tourists alike.

    hubconnectiontransfer point
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Formal

    v.to put each of two things in the place of the other.

    v.to put each of two things in the place of the other; to switch or alternate.

    Simple

    You can interchange these two parts because they are exactly the same size.

    In context

    The terms are often interchanged in casual conversation, though they have distinct meanings in a legal context.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and requires a plural object or two objects linked by 'and'.

The changes to SRL East’s scope includes scrapping underground station interchanges at Box Hill and Glen Waverley, a second station entrance at Clayton and “complex” pedestrian bridges in Burwood and Cheltenham.

The Guardian· 24 Aug 2026

From Old French entrechange, by surface analysis, inter- + change.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old French entrechange
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated