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¹switch

noun \ˈswich\

: a small device that starts or stops the flow of electricity to something (such as a lamp or a machine) when it is pressed or moved up and down

: a sudden change from one thing to another

: a device for moving the rails of a track so that a train may be turned from one track to another

Full Definition of SWITCH

: a slender flexible whip, rod, or twig <a riding switch>

: an act of switching: as

a : a blow with a switch

b : a shift from one to another

c : a change from the usual <that outfit is a switch>

: a tuft of long hairs at the end of the tail of an animal (as a cow) — see cow illustration

: a device made usually of two movable rails and necessary connections and designed to turn a locomotive or train from one track to another

: a device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit

: a heavy strand of hair used in addition to a person's own hair for some coiffures

See switch defined for English-language learners

See switch defined for kids

Origin of SWITCH

perhaps from Middle Dutch swijch twig

First Known Use: 1592

Related to SWITCH

Synonyms: flogger, lash, scourge, whip

Rhymes with SWITCH

bitch, ditch, fitch, flitch, glitch, hitch, itch, kitsch, niche, pitch, quitch, rich, snitch, stitch, such, twitch, which, witch

²switch

verb

: to make a change from one thing to another : to start doing or using something that is different

: to make a change from one thing to another by turning or pushing a button or moving a switch, lever, etc.

: to change or replace (something) with another thing

Full Definition of SWITCH

transitive verb

: to strike or beat with or as if with a switch

: whisk, lash <a cat switching its tail>

a (1) : to turn from one railroad track to another : shunt (2) : to move (cars) to different positions on the same track within terminal areas

b : to make a shift in or exchange of <switch seats>

a : to shift to another electrical circuit by means of a switch

b (1) : to operate an electrical switch so as to turn (as a device) on or off —usually used with on or off (2) : to change to or from an active state —usually used with on or off <switched on the gene>

intransitive verb

: to lash from side to side

: to make a shift or exchange

— switch·able \ˈswi-chə-bəl\ adjective

— switch·er noun

See switch defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SWITCH

circa 1611

Related to SWITCH

Synonyms: commute, exchange, shift, substitute, swap, change, trade

SWITCH Defined for Kids

¹switch

noun \ˈswich\

Definition of SWITCH for Kids

: a device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit

: a change from one thing to another <a switch in plans>

: a narrow flexible whip, rod, or twig

: an act of switching

: a device for adjusting the rails of a track so that a train or streetcar may be turned from one track to another

²switch

verb

switchedswitch·ing

Definition of SWITCH for Kids

: to turn, shift, or change by operating a device that makes, breaks, or changes the connections in an electrical circuit <Remember to switch off the light.>

: to move quickly from side to side <The cow was switching its tail.>

: to make a shift or change <He switched to a new barber.>

: to strike with or as if with a whip, rod, or twig