- 1a small device that you press or move up and down in order to turn a light or piece of electrical equipment on and off a light switch an on-off switch That was in the days before electricity was available at the flick of a switch. Which switch do I press to turn it off? to throw a switch (= to move a large switch)
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2a change from one thing to another, especially when this is sudden and complete switch (in/of something) a switch of priorities switch (from A to B) She made the switch from full-time to part-time work when her first child was born. a policy switch
- 3the piece of track at a place where a railroad line divides that can be moved to allow a train to change tracks
- 4a thin stick that bends easily a riding switch
Check pronunciation: switch