Seesaw vs. Swing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 4, 2024
A seesaw is a long, narrow board pivoted in the middle, for two people to ride by pushing off the ground, while a swing is a seat suspended by ropes or chains for someone to sit and move back and forth.
Difference Between Seesaw and Swing
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Key Differences
A seesaw involves a board balanced on a central pivot point, where two users, typically sitting at opposite ends, alternately push off the ground with their feet to go up and down. Swings, however, consist of a seat hung from a frame or tree by ropes or chains, allowing the user to swing back and forth, propelled by pushing against the ground or shifting body weight.
The seesaw is a playground equipment that emphasizes balance and coordination, requiring two participants to work in tandem for effective play. This cooperation contrasts with swings, which can be used individually, focusing on rhythm and momentum to create movement.
Seesaws require a balanced effort from both riders to function correctly, making timing and cooperation essential. On the other hand, swings allow for a more solitary experience, where users can control their motion independently, requiring less coordination with others.
The movement on a seesaw is vertical, with riders experiencing alternate sensations of weightlessness and gravity as they go up and down. In contrast, swings offer a horizontal or arc-like motion, providing a different kind of thrill that includes a feeling of flying or floating.
Seesaws are often associated with developing social skills and teamwork, as they necessitate interaction between riders for a successful and enjoyable experience. Conversely, swings, while they can be used in a social setting, primarily offer a personal space for physical and imaginative play.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Description
A board balanced in the middle, for two people to ride.
A seat suspended by ropes or chains, for back and forth motion.
Number of Users
Requires two users for balanced play.
Can be used individually or by multiple users in larger swings.
Type of Movement
Vertical up and down motion.
Horizontal or arc-like back and forth motion.
Skills Developed
Balance, coordination, and teamwork.
Rhythm, momentum, and (for younger users) leg coordination.
Social Interaction
High, requires cooperation between two participants.
Low to moderate, can be used alone or in a social context.
Compare with Definitions
Seesaw
A playground equipment balancing on a central fulcrum.
The children took turns on the seesaw, laughing with each ascent and descent.
Swing
Can be used solo, offering independence in play.
He enjoyed the swing because it let him control the pace and height of his movement.
Seesaw
Engages users in physical activity.
Playing on the seesaw provided a fun way to exercise outdoors.
Swing
Encourages imaginative play.
On the swing, he imagined soaring over cities and mountains.
Seesaw
Requires two users for operation, promoting teamwork.
They quickly learned that seesawing required a bit of coordination between them.
Swing
Provides a sense of freedom and flight.
The sensation of flying while swinging high was exhilarating.
Seesaw
Can be a tool for social interaction among children.
The seesaw became the place where they made new friends at the playground.
Swing
A seat hanging from a structure, allowing back and forth motion.
She spent hours on the swing, feeling the breeze against her face.
Seesaw
Offers a lesson in balance and physics.
The seesaw taught them about the principles of balance and leverage.
Swing
Develops coordination and strength, especially in legs.
Pushing herself higher on the swing, she strengthened her legs.
Seesaw
A seesaw (also known as a teeter-totter or teeterboard) is a long, narrow board supported by a single pivot point, most commonly located at the midpoint between both ends; as one end goes up, the other goes down. These are most commonly found at parks and school playgrounds.
Swing
Move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while suspended or on an axis
Her long black skirt swung about her legs
The door swung shut behind him
A priest began swinging a censer
Seesaw
A long plank balanced on a central fulcrum so that with a person riding on each end, one end goes up as the other goes down. Also called regionally dandle, dandle board, teedle board, teeter, teeterboard, teeter-totter, tilt1, tilting board.
Swing
Move by grasping a support from below and leaping
The Irishman swung himself into the saddle
We swung across like two trapeze artists
Seesaw
The act or game of riding a seesaw.
Swing
Move or cause to move in a smooth, curving line
She swung her legs to the side of the bed
The cab swung into the car park
Seesaw
A back-and-forth or up-and-down movement.
Swing
Shift or cause to shift from one opinion, mood, or state of affairs to another
Opinion swung in the Chancellor's favour
The failure to seek peace could swing sentiment the other way
Seesaw
An action or process in which something repeatedly changes from one condition or situation to another
The seesaw in temperatures.
Swing
Play music with a flowing but vigorous rhythm
The band swung on
Seesaw
To play on a seesaw.
Swing
(of an event, place, or way of life) be lively, exciting, or fashionable.
Seesaw
To move back and forth or up and down.
Swing
A seat suspended by ropes or chains, on which someone may sit and swing back and forth.
Seesaw
To change back and forth from one condition or situation to another
The lead seesawed for much of the tennis match.
Swing
An act of swinging
With the swing of her arm, the knife flashed through the air
Seesaw
A structure composed of a plank, balanced in the middle, used as a game in which one person goes up as the other goes down.
Swing
A discernible change in opinion, especially the amount by which votes or points scored change from one side to another
A five per cent swing to Labour
Seesaw
A series of up-and-down movements.
Swing
A style of jazz or dance music with a flowing but vigorous rhythm.
Seesaw
A series of alternating movements or feelings.
Swing
A swift tour involving a number of stops, especially one undertaken as part of a political campaign.
Seesaw
An abnormal breathing pattern caused by airway obstruction, characterized by paradoxical chest and abdominal movement.
Swing
(in musical theatre) an understudy, typically one who covers multiple roles in the chorus of a particular production.
Seesaw
(intransitive) To use a seesaw.
Swing
To move back and forth suspended or as if suspended from above.
Seesaw
To fluctuate.
Swing
To hit at something with a sweeping motion of the arm
Swung at the ball.
Seesaw
(transitive) To cause to move backward and forward in seesaw fashion.
Swing
To move laterally or in a curve
The car swung over to the curb.
Seesaw
Fluctuating.
Swing
To turn in place on or as if on a hinge or pivot.
Seesaw
A play among children in which they are seated upon the opposite ends of a plank which is balanced in the middle, and move alternately up and down.
Swing
To move along with an easy, swaying gait
Swinging down the road.
Seesaw
A plank or board adjusted for this play.
Swing
To propel oneself from one place or position to another by grasping a fixed support
Swinging through the trees.
Seesaw
A vibratory or reciprocating motion.
He has been arguing in a circle; there is thus a seesaw between the hypothesis and fact.
Swing
To ride on a swing.
Seesaw
Same as Crossruff.
Swing
To shift from one attitude, interest, condition, or emotion to another; vacillate.
Seesaw
To move with a reciprocating motion; to move backward and forward, or upward and downward.
Swing
(Slang) To be put to death by hanging.
Seesaw
To cause to move backward and forward in seesaw fashion.
He seesaws himself to and fro.
Swing
To have a subtle, intuitively felt rhythm or sense of rhythm.
Seesaw
Moving up and down, or to and fro; having a reciprocating motion.
Swing
To play with a subtle, intuitively felt sense of rhythm.
Seesaw
A plaything consisting of a board balanced on a fulcrum; the board is ridden up and down by children at either end
Swing
To be lively, trendy, and exciting.
Seesaw
Ride on a plank
Swing
To cause to move back and forth, as on a swing.
Seesaw
Move up and down as if on a seesaw
Swing
To cause to move in a broad arc or curve
Swing a bat.
Swung the car over.
Seesaw
Move unsteadily, with a rocking motion
Swing
To cause to move with a sweeping motion
Swinging his arms.
Swing
To lift and convey with a sweeping motion
Swung the cargo onto the deck.
Swing
To suspend so as to sway or turn freely
Swung a hammock between two trees.
Swing
To suspend on hinges
Swing a shutter.
Swing
To cause to turn on hinges
Swung the door shut.
Swing
To cause to shift from one attitude, position, opinion, or condition to another.
Swing
To manage or arrange successfully
Swing a deal.
Swing
To bring around to the desired result
Swing an election.
Swing
(Music) To play (music) with a subtle, intuitively felt sense of rhythm.
Swing
The act or an instance of swinging; movement back and forth or in one particular direction.
Swing
The sweep or scope of something that swings
The pendulum's swing is 12 inches.
Swing
A blow or stroke executed with a sweeping motion of the arm.
Swing
The manner in which one swings something, such as a bat or golf club.
Swing
A shift from one attitude, position, or condition to another
A swing to conservatism.
Swing
Freedom of action
The children have free swing in deciding what color to paint their room.
Swing
A swaying, graceful motion
Has a swing to her walk.
Swing
A sweep back and forth
The swing of a bird across the sky.
Swing
A course or tour that returns to the starting point
A swing across the state while campaigning.
Swing
A seat suspended from above, as by ropes, on which one can ride back and forth for recreation.
Swing
The normal rhythm of life or pace of activities
Back in the swing.
Swing
A steady, vigorous rhythm or movement, as in verse.
Swing
A regular movement up or down, as in stock prices.
Swing
A type of popular dance music developed about 1935 and based on jazz but employing a larger band, less improvisation, and simpler harmonic and rhythmic patterns.
Swing
A ballroom dance performed to this music.
Swing
A subtle, intuitively felt rhythmic quality or sense of rhythm.
Swing
(Music) Relating to or performing swing
A swing band.
Swing
Determining an outcome; decisive
The swing vote.
Swing
(intransitive) To rotate about an off-centre fixed point.
The plant swung in the breeze.
Swing
(intransitive) To dance.
Swing
(intransitive) To ride on a swing.
The children laughed as they swung.
Swing
(intransitive) To participate in the swinging lifestyle; to participate in wife-swapping.
Swing
(intransitive) To hang from the gallows; to be punished by hanging, swing for something or someone; (often hyperbolic) to be severely punished.
Swing
To move sideways in its trajectory.
Swing
To make the ball move sideways in its trajectory.
Swing
(intransitive) To fluctuate or change.
It wasn't long before the crowd's mood swung towards restless irritability.
Swing
(transitive) To move (an object) backward and forward; to wave.
He swung his sword as hard as he could.
Swing
(transitive) To change (a numerical result); especially to change the outcome of an election.
Swing
(transitive) To make (something) work; especially to afford (something) financially.
If it’s not too expensive, I think we can swing it.
Swing
To play notes that are in pairs by making the first of the pair slightly longer than written (augmentation) and the second shorter, resulting in a bouncy, uneven rhythm.
Swing
To move one's arm in a punching motion.
Swing
(transitive) In dancing, to turn around in a small circle with one's partner, holding hands or arms.
"to swing one's partner", or simply "to swing"
Swing
To admit or turn something for the purpose of shaping it; said of a lathe.
The lathe can swing a pulley of 12 inches diameter.
Swing
To put (a door, gate, etc.) on hinges so that it can swing or turn.
Swing
(nautical) To turn round by action of wind or tide when at anchor.
A ship swings with the tide.
Swing
The manner in which something is swung.
He worked tirelessly to improve his golf swing.
Door swing indicates direction the door opens.
The swing of a pendulum
Swing
The sweep or compass of a swinging body.
Swing
A line, cord, or other thing suspended and hanging loose, upon which anything may swing.
Swing
A hanging seat in a children's playground, for acrobats in a circus, or on a porch for relaxing.
Swing
A dance style.
Swing
(music) The genre of music associated with this dance style.
Swing
The amount of change towards or away from something.
Swing
(politics) In an election, the increase or decrease in the number of votes for opposition parties compared with votes for the incumbent party.
The polls showed a wide swing to Labour.
Swing
(cricket) Sideways movement of the ball as it flies through the air.
Swing
Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter of the largest object that can be turned in it.
Swing
In a musical theater production, a performer who understudies several roles.
Swing
A basic dance step in which a pair link hands and turn round together in a circle.
Swing
(obsolete) Free course; unrestrained liberty.
Swing
Influence or power of anything put in motion.
Swing
(boxing) A type of hook with the arm more extended.
Swing
To move to and fro, as a body suspended in the air; to wave; to vibrate; to oscillate.
I tried if a pendulum would swing faster, or continue swinging longer, in case of exsuction of the air.
Swing
To sway or move from one side or direction to another; as, the door swung open.
Swing
To turn round by action of wind or tide when at anchor; as, a ship swings with the tide.
Swing
To be hanged.
He had swung round the circle of theories and systems in which his age abounded, without finding relief.
Swing
To cause to swing or vibrate; to cause to move backward and forward, or from one side to the other.
He swings his tail, and swiftly turns his round.
They get on ropes, as you must have seen the children, and are swung by their men visitants.
Swing
To give a circular movement to; to whirl; to brandish; as, to swing a sword; to swing a club; hence, colloquially, to manage; as, to swing a business.
Swing
To admit or turn (anything) for the purpose of shaping it; - said of a lathe; as, the lathe can swing a pulley of 12 inches diameter.
Swing
The act of swinging; a waving, oscillating, or vibratory motion of a hanging or pivoted object; oscillation; as, the swing of a pendulum.
Swing
Swaying motion from one side or direction to the other; as, some men walk with a swing.
Swing
A line, cord, or other thing suspended and hanging loose, upon which anything may swing; especially, an apparatus for recreation by swinging, commonly consisting of a rope, the two ends of which are attached overhead, as to the bough of a tree, a seat being placed in the loop at the bottom; also, any contrivance by which a similar motion is produced for amusement or exercise.
Swing
Influence of power of a body put in swaying motion.
The ram that batters down the wall,For the great swing and rudeness of his poise,They place before his hand that made the engine.
Swing
Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter of the largest object that can be turned in it.
Swing
Free course; unrestrained liberty or license; tendency.
To prevent anything which may prove an obstacle to the full swing of his genius.
Swing
A state of steady vigorous action that is characteristic of an activity;
The party went with a swing
It took time to get into the swing of things
Swing
Mechanical device used as a plaything to support someone swinging back and forth
Swing
A sweeping blow or stroke;
He took a wild swing at my head
Swing
Changing location by moving back and forth
Swing
A style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz
Swing
A jaunty rhythm in music
Swing
The act of swinging a golf club at a golf ball and (usually) hitting it
Swing
In baseball; a batter's attempt to hit a pitched ball;
He took a vicious cut at the ball
Swing
A square dance figure; a pair of dancers join hands and dance around a point between them
Swing
Move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting;
He swung his left fist
Swing a bat
Swing
Move or walk in a swinging or swaying manner;
He swung back
Swing
Change direction with a swinging motion; turn;
Swing back
Swing forward
Swing
Influence decisively;
This action swung many votes over to his side
Swing
Make a big sweeping gesture or movement
Swing
Hang freely;
The ornaments dangled from the tree
The light dropped from the ceiling
Swing
Hit or aim at with a sweeping arm movement;
The soccer player began to swing at the referee
Swing
Alternate dramatically between high and low values;
His mood swings
The market is swinging up and down
Swing
Live in a lively, modern, and relaxed style;
The Woodstock generation attempted to swing freely
Swing
Have a certain musical rhythm;
The music has to swing
Swing
Be a social swinger; socialize a lot
Swing
Play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm
Common Curiosities
How do swings benefit child development?
Swings aid in developing physical skills like coordination and balance, and they can also enhance spatial awareness and provide sensory stimulation.
Do seesaws help with any particular skills?
Yes, seesaws help develop balance, coordination, and teamwork, as they require users to work together.
How do you stop a swing safely?
To stop, gradually reduce the swinging motion by dragging your feet on the ground or shifting your weight to slow down.
What age group are seesaws suitable for?
Seesaws are generally suitable for children aged 3 and up, with supervision for the younger ones to ensure safety.
Do swings need maintenance?
Yes, swings, especially those in public playgrounds, require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure safety.
What are the social benefits of seesawing?
Seesawing encourages interaction, communication, and cooperation between users, enhancing social skills.
How does swinging affect mood?
Swinging can have a calming effect, reduce stress, and increase feelings of happiness through sensory stimulation.
What materials are seesaws made from?
Seesaws are commonly made from wood, metal, or plastic, depending on the design and location.
Is it possible to swing too high?
Yes, swinging too high can be dangerous, as it increases the risk of falling or losing control.
Can seesawing improve fitness?
Yes, seesawing can be a form of exercise, improving core strength and balance.
Are there different types of swings?
Yes, there are various types of swings, including traditional swings, tire swings, and disc swings, catering to different preferences and ages.
What's the best way to ensure safety on a seesaw?
Always have a partner of approximately equal weight, hold on tightly, and ensure the ground beneath is soft or padded.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
