switch

noun countable

UK /swɪtʃ/

Word Forms

singular	switch
plural	switches

1
something such as a button or a key that controls the electrical supply to a light, piece of equipment, machine etc
a light switch
an on-off switch
flick/flip a switch (=push it up or down):
He flicked the intercom switch to his secretary.
press a switch:
Lily pressed the switch and plunged the room into darkness.
Synonyms and related words
Knobs and switches on machinery and equipment
actuator
console
control
2
a change from one thing to another
a major policy switch by Washington
a switch (from something) to something:
He said the switch from electric to solar power would be made soon.
A switch to a high-fibre diet will help your digestion.
make the switch (from something) to something:
Last year he made the switch to boxing from kickboxing.
Synonyms and related words
Changes
effect
change
trend
3
a stick that is so thin that you can bend it easily
Synonyms and related words
Long and thin objects
line
strip
stick

switch

noun countable

US /swɪtʃ/

Word Forms

singular	switch
plural	switches

1
something such as a button or a key that controls the electrical supply to a light, piece of equipment, machine, etc.
a light switch
an on-off switch
flick/flip a switch (=push it up or down):
He flicked the intercom switch to his secretary.
press a switch:
Lily pressed the switch and plunged the room into darkness.
Synonyms and related words
Knobs and switches on machinery and equipment
actuator
console
control
2
a change from one thing to another
a major policy switch by Washington
a switch (from something) to something:
He said the switch from electric to solar power would be made soon.
A switch to a high-fiber diet will help your digestion.
make the switch (from something) to something:
Last year he made the switch to boxing from kickboxing.
Synonyms and related words
Changes
change
effect
trend
3
a stick that is so thin that you can bend it easily
Synonyms and related words
Long and thin objects
line
strip
stick

switch

verb

UK /swɪtʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	switch
he/she/it	switches
present participle	switching
past tense	switched
past participle	switched

1
intransitive/transitive to change from one thing to another, or to make something do this
Then he switched sides and turned against his former allies.
We switched lanes and accelerated towards the junction.
switch to:
He used to vote Conservative, but he switched to Labour in 1997.
switch between:
Once you have learned the basics of word processing, switching between different programs is quite easy.
switch something (from something) to something:
They announced that the tournament would be switched from March to December.
Journalists are switching their attention to other members of the royal family.
Synonyms and related words
To change something
change
make into
convert
Synonyms and related words
To become different
change
turn into
change into
2
transitive to replace one object with another
He was accused of switching price labels.
Synonyms and related words
To replace, or to be replaced
replace
change
renew
3
intransitive/transitive to do someone else’s work in their place, usually in exchange for them doing your work on some other occasion
switch with:
Will you switch with me next week?
Synonyms and related words
To replace, or to be replaced
replace
change
renew

phrasal verbs

switch off

switch on

switch over

switch

verb

US /swɪtʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	switch
he/she/it	switches
present participle	switching
past tense	switched
past participle	switched

1
intransitive/transitive to change from one thing to another, or to make something do this
Then he switched sides and turned against his former allies.
We switched lanes and accelerated toward the junction.
switch to:
He used to vote Republican, but he switched to Democrat in 1997.
switch between:
Once you have learned the basics of word processing, switching between different programs is quite easy.
switch something (from something) to something:
They announced that the tournament would be switched from March to December.
Reporters are switching their attention to other members of the royal family.
Synonyms and related words
To change something
change
transform
make into
Synonyms and related words
To become different
transition
change
turn into
2
transitive to replace one object with another
He was accused of switching price labels.
switch places (=trade places):
Will you switch places with me?
Synonyms and related words
To replace, or to be replaced
replace
change
renew
3
intransitive/transitive to do someone else’s work in their place, usually in exchange for them doing your work on some other occasion
switch with:
Will you switch with me next week?
Synonyms and related words
To replace, or to be replaced
replace
change
renew
4
intransitive/transitive if an animal’s tail switches, or if an animal switches its tail, the tail moves quickly and suddenly from one side to the other, usually because the animal is annoyed
Synonyms and related words
Animal behavior
beach
bite
bite

phrasal verbs

switch off

switch on

switch over

switch ​‌‌

switch ​‌‌

switch ​‌‌‌

switch ​‌‌‌

switch

switch

switch

switch