An adapter for use in a track lighting system is designed to be inserted into a track. The track has an electrical conductor means with conductors, the adapter has contact elements, and when the adapter is in an inserted state, contact can be made with the conductors by means of the contact elements. The contact elements can be moved into a contacting position, in which they protrude from the adapter so that they can be connected to the conductors, and into a non-contacting position, in which the adapter can be retracted into or removed from the track. The movement of the contact elements between the contacting position and the non-contacting position can be brought about by an operator by means of a moveably arranged actuating element of the adapter.