switch

switch (sw

ch)

1. A slender flexible rod, stick, or twig, especially one used for whipping.

2. The bushy tip of the tail of certain animals: a cow's switch.

3. A thick strand of real or synthetic hair used as part of a coiffure.

4. A flailing or lashing, as with a slender rod.

5. A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.

6. A device consisting of two sections of railroad track and accompanying apparatus used to transfer rolling stock from one track to another.

a. The act or process of operating a switching device.

b. The result achieved by such an act.

8. An exchange or a swap, especially one done secretly.

9. A transference or shift, as of opinion or attention.

v. switched, switch·ing, switch·es

v.tr.

1. Chiefly Southern U.S. To whip with or as if with a switch, especially in punishing a child.

2. To jerk or swish abruptly or sharply: a cat switching its tail.

3. To shift, transfer, or divert: switched the conversation to a lighter subject.

4. To exchange: asked her brother to switch seats with her.

5. To connect, disconnect, or divert (an electric current) by operating a switch.

6. To cause (an electric current or appliance) to begin or cease operation: switched the lights on and off.

7. Informal To produce as if by operating a control. Often used with on: switched on the charm.

8. To move (rolling stock) from one track to another; shunt.

v.intr.

1. To make or undergo a shift or an exchange: The office has switched to shorter summer hours.

2. To swish sharply from side to side.

Phrasal Verb:

switch off Informal

To stop paying attention; lose interest.

[Probably of Low German or Flemish origin.]

switcha·ble adj.

switcher n.

switch

Noun

1. a device for opening or closing an electric circuit

2. a sudden quick change

3. an exchange or swap

4. a flexible rod or twig, used for punishment

5. US & Canad a pair of movable rails for diverting moving trains from one track to another

Verb

1. to change quickly and suddenly

2. to exchange (places) or swap (something for something else)

3. Chiefly US & Canad to transfer (rolling stock) from one railway track to another

4. See switch off, switch on [probably from Middle Dutch swijch twig]

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	switch - 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 commutator - switch for reversing the direction of an electric current controller, control - a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine; "the speed controller on his turntable was not working properly"; "I turned the controls over to her" cutout - a switch that interrupts an electric circuit in the event of an overload ignition switch - switch that operates a solenoid that closes a circuit to operate the starter push button, button, push - an electrical switch operated by pressing; "the elevator was operated by push buttons"; "the push beside the bed operated a buzzer at the desk" selector switch, selector - a switch that is used to select among alternatives three-point switch, three-way switch - an electric switch that has three terminals; used to control a circuit from two different locations time-switch - a switch set to operate at a desired time on-off switch, on/off switch, toggle switch, toggle - a hinged switch that can assume either of two positions
	2.	switch - an event in which one thing is substituted for another; "the replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood" permutation, substitution, transposition, replacement variation, fluctuation - an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change
	3.	switch - hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure false hair, hairpiece, postiche - a covering or bunch of human or artificial hair used for disguise or adornment
	4.	switch - railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock railroad track, railway, railroad - a line of track providing a runway for wheels; "he walked along the railroad track"
	5.	switch - a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment birch rod, birch - a switch consisting of a twig or a bundle of twigs from a birch tree; used to hit people as punishment; "my father never spared the birch" cane - a stiff switch used to hit students as punishment ferule - a switch (a stick or cane or flat paddle) used to punish children instrument of punishment - an instrument designed and used to punish a condemned person ratan, rattan - a switch made from the stems of the rattan palms
	6.	switch - a basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other basketball play - a play executed by a basketball team
	7.	switch - the act of changing one thing or position for another; "his switch on abortion cost him the election" switching, shift change - the action of changing something; "the change of government had no impact on the economy"; "his change on abortion cost him the election" switcheroo - a sudden unexpected switch
Verb	1.	switch - change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence switch over, exchange change by reversal, reverse, turn - change to the contrary; "The trend was reversed"; "the tides turned against him"; "public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern"
	2.	switch - exchange or give (something) in exchange for swap, swop, trade exchange, interchange, change - give to, and receive from, one another; "Would you change places with me?"; "We have been exchanging letters for a year"
	3.	switch - lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; "switch to a different brand of beer"; "She switched psychiatrists"; "The car changed lanes" change, shift exchange, convert, commute, change - exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category; "Could you convert my dollars into pounds?"; "He changed his name"; "convert centimeters into inches"; "convert holdings into shares" change - change clothes; put on different clothes; "Change before you go to the opera" transition - make or undergo a transition (from one state or system to another); "The airline transitioned to more fuel-efficient jets"; "The adagio transitioned into an allegro" shift - change gears; "you have to shift when you go down a steep hill" break - change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another; "Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children" channel-surf, surf - switch channels, on television leap, jump - pass abruptly from one state or topic to another; "leap into fame"; "jump to a conclusion"; "jump from one thing to another" diphthongise, diphthongize - change from a simple vowel to a diphthong; "This vowel diphthongized in Germanic" cut - make an abrupt change of image or sound; "cut from one scene to another" break - change directions suddenly
	4.	switch - make a shift in or exchange of; "First Joe led; then we switched" change over, shift alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue" back - shift to a counterclockwise direction; "the wind backed" veer - shift to a clockwise direction; "the wind veered"
	5.	switch - cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation; "switch on the light"; "throw the lever" flip, throw switch on, turn on - cause to operate by flipping a switch; "switch on the light"; "turn on the stereo" switch off, turn off, turn out, cut - cause to stop operating by disengaging a switch; "Turn off the stereo, please"; "cut the engine"; "turn out the lights" mesh, lock, operate, engage - keep engaged; "engaged the gears"
	6.	switch - flog with or as if with a flexible rod flog, lash, lather, trounce, welt, whip, slash, strap - beat severely with a whip or rod; "The teacher often flogged the students"; "The children were severely trounced"
	7.	switch - reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action) flip-flop, interchange, alternate, tack, flip change by reversal, reverse, turn - change to the contrary; "The trend was reversed"; "the tides turned against him"; "public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern"