switch Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
    electric switch; electrical switch.
  2. noun an event in which one thing is substituted for another
    replacement; transposition; permutation; substitution.
    • the replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood
  3. noun hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure
  4. noun railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock
  5. noun a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment
  6. noun a basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other
  7. noun the act of changing one thing or position for another
    shift; switching.
    • his switch on abortion cost him the election
  8. verb change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
    switch over; exchange.
  9. verb exchange or give (something) in exchange for
    swop; swap; trade.
  10. verb lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
    shift; change.
    • switch to a different brand of beer
    • She switched psychiatrists
    • The car changed lanes
  11. verb make a shift in or exchange of; then we switched"
    shift; change over.
    • First Joe led
  12. verb cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation
    throw; flip.
    • switch on the light
    • throw the lever
  13. verb flog with or as if with a flexible rod
  14. verb reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
    interchange; alternate; flip; tack; flip-flop.

WordNet

Switch noun
Etymology
Cf. OD. swick a scourage, a whip. Cf. Swink, Swing.
Definitions
  1. A small, flexible twig or rod.
    Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with something like a thread; in her other hand she holds a switch. Addison.
  2. (Railways) A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another.
  3. A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.
  4. (Eccl.) A mechanical device for shifting an electric current to another circuit.
Switch transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Switched ; present participle & verbal noun Switching
Definitions
  1. To strike with a switch or small flexible rod; to whip. Chapman.
  2. To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.
  3. To trim, as, a hedge. Prov. Eng. Halliwell.
  4. To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; -- generally with off, from, etc.; as, to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another.
  5. (Eccl.) To shift to another circuit.
Switch intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To walk with a jerk. Prov. Eng. switchboard. (Telephone) An apparatus containing switches by means of which a connection may be made from an incoming telephone line to any one of numerous outgoing lines. The switches may be either mechanical or electronic, and the switching action may be automatic, controlled by signals in the incoming call, or manual, controlled by a switchboard operator.

Webster 1913