Switch | Mean of switch in English Dictionary

/ˈswɪtʃ/

• Noun
• 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
1. She flicked a switch and turned the lamp/lights on.
2. a light/dimmer switch
3. He threw the switch to stop the machine.
• a sudden change from one thing to another
1. a switch from the old way of doing things
2. There has been a switch in plans. [=the plans have changed]
3. If you're not happy in your current job, maybe it's time to make a switch (to another job).
4. “He says he'll do it himself.” “Well, that's a switch.” [=that's something unusual]
• a device for moving the rails of a track so that a train may be turned from one track to another

• a thin stick that can be easily bent
• Verb
• to make a change from one thing to another
1. I switched to a new doctor.
2. He kept switching back and forth between topics.
3. She switched back to/from her original insurance company.
4. We switched over to a different telephone service.
5. Why did you switch jobs?
• to make a change from one thing to another by turning or pushing a button or moving a switch, lever, etc.
1. He switched (over) to a different channel.
2. Stop switching channels.
• to change or replace (something) with another thing
1. They switched places/positions/roles/sides.
2. He switched (around) his last two appointments.
3. (US) He is going to switch (shifts) with me Monday. [=he will work my shift and I will work his shift on Monday]
• to turn off (something) by turning or pushing a button or moving a switch, lever, etc.
1. He switched off the light/lamp.
• to stop paying attention
1. When the topic turned to the stock market, he switched off. [=tuned out]
• to turn on (something) by turning or pushing a button or moving a switch, lever, etc.
1. I switched on the TV and watched the news.