# commutation

> English word · Noun · IPA /kɒmjuːˈteɪʃən/ · frequency rank #57,300

## Definitions
1. Substitution of one thing for another; interchange.
2. Specifically, the substitution of one kind of payment for another, especially a switch to monetary payment from obligations of labour.
3. The change to a lesser penalty or punishment by the State
4. Substitution, as a means of discriminating between phonemes.
5. The reversal of an electric current.
6. A passing from one state to another; change; alteration; mutation.
7. The act of giving one thing for another; barter; exchange.

## Etymology
From French commutation, from Latin commūtātiōnem, accusative singular of commūtātiō.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/commutation