26984 words

switch

13 definitions • 21 examples
1
a small device, usually pushed up or down with your finger, that controls and turns on or off an electric current:

Examples:

a light switch
Can you flip the switch?
2
a place on a railway track where the rails (= metal bars on which the trains travel) can be moved to allow a train to change from one track to another:

Examples:

The train rattled as it went over the switches.
3
a sudden or complete change, especially of one person or thing for another:

Examples:

When did the writer make the switch from fiction to non-fiction?
The switch to new accounting software greatly improved the organization's bookkeeping.
4
to use a switch to change a device from one state or type of operation to another:

Examples:

switch the TV off/on
5
to change suddenly or completely, especially from one thing to another, or to exchange by replacing one person or thing with another:

Examples:

She started studying English, but switched to History in her second year.
In 1971, Britain switched over (= changed completely) to a decimal currency.
After the bank robbery, the gang switched cars (= left one car and got into another).
6
a device that controls an electric current and turns it on or off:

Examples:

Flip a switch and the coffee makes itself.
7
a thin stick that bends easily and is used esp. for hitting animals
8
a sudden or complete change from one thing to another, or an exchange of one person or thing for another:

Examples:

The team made a switch to a smaller, quicker lineup.
9
to change suddenly or completely from one thing to another, or to exchange one person or thing with another:

Examples:

[ T ] Jeff decided to switch his major from engineering to medicine.
[ I ] I used to have tapes, but I switched to CDs.
10
a complete change of one thing for another:

Examples:

a switch from/to sth The switch to a flat rate of tax could boost spending.
Banks are encouraging customers to make the switch from paper to electronic statements.
11
a piece of equipment in a network that receives electronic data and sends it to the right place
12
a small part or object that you move or press to make a light come on, make a machine start working, etc.:

Examples:

press/flick the switch
13
to change from one thing, system, etc. to another, or make something do this:

Examples:

switch to sth Internet users should consider switching to a web-based bank.
switch from sth to sth The charity has switched from TV advertising to direct mail.
switch provider(s)/supplier(s) You could save money by switching energy suppliers.
The report found that only about 6% of current account customers switch banks each year.

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