switch Meaning & Definition
What Does Switch Mean?
Switch is used as a noun meaning A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow. It is also used to mean A change or exchange. As a verb, it means To exchange. As an adjective, it means Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.
Quick Facts About Switch
| Part of speech | noun, verb, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /swɪt͡ʃ/ |
| Synonyms | shift, throw and change |
| Plural | switches |
| Verb forms | switches, switching, switched |
Switch Definition (Noun)
- A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.
- A change or exchange.
- A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; (set of) points.
- A long, slender woody plant stem or a flexible, thin rod used as a whip to administer corporal punishment in the United States.
- Synonym of rute.
- A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.
Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.
- A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.
- A networking device connecting multiple wires, allowing them to communicate simultaneously, when possible. Compare to the less efficient hub device that solely duplicates network packets to each wire.
- A system of specialized relays, computer hardware, or other equipment which allows the interconnection of a calling party's telephone line with any called party's line.
- A mechanism within DNA that activates or deactivates a gene.
- One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.
- A separate mass or tress of hair, or of some substance (such as jute) made to resemble hair, formerly worn on the head by women.
- A variant of crazy eights where one card, such as an ace, reverses the direction of play.
- Synonym of Glock switch. A Glock pistol equipped with a Glock switch.
- A Glock pistol equipped with a Glock switch.
- A play in which the ball (or equivalent) is moved from one side of the playing area to the other.
- The process of the currently fronting headmate changing; an instance of this.
Switches only happen once every couple weeks for us, but they're quite sudden when they happen.
Switch as a Verb
- To exchange.
I want to switch this red dress for a green one.
- To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.
Switch the light on.
- To whip or hit with a switch.
- To change places, tasks, etc.
I want to switch to a different seat.
- To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.
- To swing or whisk.
to switch a cane
- To be swung or whisked.
The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.
- To trim.
- To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.
to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another
- To shift to another circuit.
- To take on the opposite role (leader vs. follower) in a partner dance.
- To move (the ball or equivalent) from one side of the playing area to the other.
Switch as an Adjective
- Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.
- Pertaining to skiing backwards.
Noun
- A bundle of thin sticks, typically made of wood, sometimes bond in such a way that binding can be moved so that it varies the tightness of the binding.
Noun
- A slender woody plant stem used as a whip; a thin, flexible rod, associated with corporal punishment in the United States.
- (BDSM) One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.
Synonyms of Switch
Switch in a Sentence
Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.
Switches only happen once every couple weeks for us, but they're quite sudden when they happen.
I want to switch this red dress for a green one.
Switch the light on.
I want to switch to a different seat.
to switch a cane
The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.
to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another
2004, "Curt", Can I use IF statements, and still use switches? (on newsgroup microsoft.public.word.mailmerge.fields)
to switch a hedge
Word Forms & Grammar
switch (countable and uncountable, plural switches)
switch (third-person singular simple present switches, present participle switching, simple past and past participle switched)
switch (not comparable)
Words That Rhyme With Switch
Origin of Switch
Perhaps from Middle Dutch swijch (“twig”), first attested in c. 1592. The mechanical device for altering the direction of something sense is first attested in c. 1797, pertaining to pivoted rails on minecart railways,[1] which were once wooden.
Common Questions About Switch
Is switch a noun or a verb?
Switch is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb and an adjective.
What is another word for switch?
Words with a similar meaning to switch include shift, throw and change. See the full list of switch synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of switch?
The plural of switch is switches.
What is the past tense of switch?
The past tense of switch is switched. The present participle is switching.