Meaning of switch In English

• 0 a small device, usually pushed up or down with your finger, that controls and turns on or off an electric current:

  • a light switch

  • Can you flip the switch?

  • The train rattled as it went over the switches.

• 1 a sudden or complete change, especially of one person or thing for another:

  • When did the writer make the switch from fiction to non-fiction?

  • The switch to new accounting software greatly improved the organization's bookkeeping.

• 2 to use a switch to change a device from one state or type of operation to another:

  • switch the TV off/on

• 3 to change suddenly or completely, especially from one thing to another, or to exchange by replacing one person or thing with another:

  • 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).

• 4 a device that controls an electric current and turns it on or off:

  • Flip a switch and the coffee makes itself.

• 5 a thin stick that bends easily and is used esp. for hitting animals

• 6 a sudden or complete change from one thing to another, or an exchange of one person or thing for another:

  • The team made a switch to a smaller, quicker lineup.

• 7 to change suddenly or completely from one thing to another, or to exchange one person or thing with another:

  • [ T ] Jeff decided to switch his major from engineering to medicine.

  • [ I ] I used to have tapes, but I switched to CDs.

• 8 a complete change of one thing for another:

  • 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.

• 9 a piece of equipment in a network that receives electronic data and sends it to the right place

• 10 a small part or object that you move or press to make a light come on, make a machine start working, etc.:

  • press/flick the switch

• 11 to change from one thing, system, etc. to another, or make something do this:

  • 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.

  • switch brand/mortgage/service