Definition of SWITCH

switch

Plural: switches

Noun

  • control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
  • an event in which one thing is substituted for another
  • hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure
  • railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock
  • a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment
  • a basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other
  • the act of changing one thing or position for another
    • "his switch on abortion cost him the election"
  • 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 slender woody plant stem used as a whip; a thin, flexible rod, associated with corporal punishment in the United States.
  • Synonym of rute.
  • A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.
  • 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.
  • Synonym of 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.

Verb

Verb Forms: switched, switching, switches

  • To change or exchange; to beat with a flexible rod.
  • change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
  • exchange or give (something) in exchange for
  • lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
    • "switch to a different brand of beer"
    • "She switched psychiatrists"
  • make a shift in or exchange of
    • "First Joe led; then we switched"
  • cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation
    • "switch on the light"
  • flog with or as if with a flexible rod
  • reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
  • To exchange.
  • To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.
  • To whip or hit with a switch.
  • To change places, tasks, etc.
  • To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.
  • To swing or whisk.
  • To be swung or whisked.
  • To trim.
  • To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.
  • 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.

Adj

  • Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.
  • Pertaining to skiing backwards.

Examples

  • He had to switch his strategy mid-game in Words With Friends when his initial plan failed.
  • I want to switch this red dress for a green one.
  • I want to switch to a different seat.
  • Switch the light on.
  • The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.
  • Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.

Origin / Etymology

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, which were once wooden.

Synonyms

alternate, change, change over, electric switch, electrical switch, exchange, flip, flip-flop, interchange, permutation, replacement, shift, substitution, swap, switch over, switching, swop, tack, throw, trade, transposition, Glock switch, commute, counterchange, crop, flag, option, points, replace, rute, specifier, substitute, switch, transpose

Antonyms

abide, endure, last, remain, stay

Scrabble Score: 14

switch: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
switch: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
switch: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

switch: valid Words With Friends Word