Perhaps from Middle Dutch swijch (“twig”), first attested in c. 1592. The mechanical device for altering the direction of something sense is first attested in c. 1797, pertaining to pivoted rails on minecart railways, which were once wooden.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.
(not-comparable, qualifier:freestyle skiing) Pertaining to skiing backwards.
Perhaps from Middle Dutch swijch (“twig”), first attested in c. 1592. The mechanical device for altering the direction of something sense is first attested in c. 1797, pertaining to pivoted rails on minecart railways, which were once wooden.
Meanings
(countable, uncountable) A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.
(countable, uncountable) A change or exchange.
Wenger sent on Cesc Fabregas and Van Persie to try to finish Leeds off and with 14 minutes left the switch paid off as the Spaniard sent Bendtner away down the right and his wonderful curling cross was headed in by Van Persie at the far post. 2011 January 19, Jonathan Stevenson, “Leeds 1 - 3 Arsenal”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 23 Mar 2012:
This is a result of a switch from High Street to online retailing, requiring consumer goods to be delivered to the door from large-scale distribution parks that have sufficient traffic to justify a rail terminal. 2024 January 10, 'Industry Insider', “Success built on liberalisation and market freedom”, in RAIL, number 1000, page 69:
After many complications and sudden switches of career and identity for all […] they end up selling out for fame and money, and leave the boardwalk for good. 1985 December 7, Nicholas Deutsch, “Epstein on the Beach (review)”, in Gay Community News, volume 13, number 21, page 15:
(Philippines, US, countable, uncountable) A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; (set of) points.
(countable, uncountable) A long, slender woody plant stem or a flexible, thin rod used as a whip to administer corporal punishment in the United States.
Their mother would walk out into the yard and cut a switch from a tree and beat him—beat him, it seemed to Florence, until any other boy would have fallen down dead; […] 1953, James Baldwin, “Florence's Prayer”, in Go Tell It on the Mountain (Penguin Classics), London: Penguin Books, published 2001, →ISBN:
"A proper switch is a slim, flexible branch off a tree or a bush. A switch applied to the buttocks stings fiercely. It may leave red marks or bruises, but it causes no lasting damage.." 2007, Jeffrey W. Hamilton, Raising Godly Children in a Wicked World, Lulu.com, page 15:
(countable, uncountable) Synonym of rute.
(countable, uncountable) A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.
Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.
(countable, uncountable) A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.
(countable, uncountable) A networking device connecting multiple wires, allowing them to communicate simultaneously, when possible. Compare to the less efficient hub device that solely duplicates network packets to each wire.
(countable, uncountable) A system of specialized relays, computer hardware, or other equipment which allows the interconnection of a calling party's telephone line with any called party's line.
(countable, uncountable) A mechanism within DNA that activates or deactivates a gene.
(countable, especially, uncountable) One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.
Ideally, if one of your ladies happens to be a switch (or would be willing to switch for this scene), I would love to be able to inflict a little "revenge tickling" as well, as part of a scenario. 2012, Terri-Jean Bedford, Bondage Bungalow Fantasies, page 99:
(countable, historical, uncountable) A separate mass or tress of hair, or of some substance (such as jute) made to resemble hair, formerly worn on the head by women.
(uncountable) A variant of crazy eights where one card, such as an ace, reverses the direction of play.
(countable, slang, uncountable) Synonym of Glock switch.
(countable, metonymically, slang, uncountable) Synonym of Glock switch. ▸ A Glock pistol equipped with a Glock switch.
The way that switch brrt, I know he dyin' (Oh my, oh my God). 6-7, I just bipped right on the highway (Bip, bip). 2024 December 1, “Doot Doot (6 7)” (track 27), in Zombie Love Kensington Paradise, performed by Skrilla:
(countable, uncountable) A play in which the ball (or equivalent) is moved from one side of the playing area to the other.
Once a sign of surrender and lead protection, the backwards kick plays a role in one of the most enterprising, enjoyable phases of the modern game: the switch. In an era where zones, presses, zone-presses and floods are ever present, the switch breaks through these tactical innovations like a hot knife through butter. 2023 July 20, Cody Atkinson, Sean Lawson, “How the Brisbane Lions are switching directions in the AFL to achieve attacking success”, in ABC News, Sydney, archived from the original on 01 Aug 2023, retrieved 27 May 2025:
(countable, qualifier:multiplicity slang, uncountable) The process of the currently fronting headmate changing; an instance of this.
Switches only happen once every couple weeks for us, but they're quite sudden when they happen.
cs přepínač (device to turn electric current on and off) · nn pens (movable section of railroad track) · ru выключа́тель m on/off (device to turn electric current on and off) · uk перемика́ч (device to turn electric current on and off) · fi vitsa (thin rod used as a whip) · sv switch (networking device) · ru ро́зга (thin rod used as a whip) · ca commutador (networking device) · kk айырғыш (device to turn electric current on and off) · nl twijg (thin rod used as a whip) · az çevirgəc (device to turn electric current on and off) · sl kretnica (movable section of railroad track) · ur سُوِیچ (device to turn electric current on and off) · uz chiviq (device to turn electric current on and off) · nb sentral (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · it verga (thin rod used as a whip) · it opzione (command line notation) · ru коммута́тор (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · sh šiba (thin rod used as a whip) · uk комута́тор (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · ca agulla (movable section of railroad track) · cy gwialen (thin rod used as a whip) · da kontakt (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt vergasta (thin rod used as a whip) · ms suis (device to turn electric current on and off) · fi keskus (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · es conmutador (networking device) · cy switsh (device to turn electric current on and off) · af skakel (device to turn electric current on and off) · sw swichi (device to turn electric current on and off) · af skakelaar (device to turn electric current on and off) · th สวิตช์ (networking device) · it centralino (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · cy troblat (movable section of railroad track) · ca fuetada (thin rod used as a whip) · fa کلید (device to turn electric current on and off) · sh скре́тница (movable section of railroad track) · it switch (networking device) · sk prepínač (device to turn electric current on and off) · uz vikluchatel (device to turn electric current on and off) · de Schalter (device to turn electric current on and off) · es switch (device to turn electric current on and off) · uk вимика́ч (device to turn electric current on and off) · hy փոխարկիչ (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt switch (networking device) · el διακόπτης (device to turn electric current on and off) · ro centrală (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · sl stikalo (device to turn electric current on and off) · uk ключ (device to turn electric current on and off) · fi argumentti (command line notation) · sv växel (movable section of railroad track) · nl spitsroede (thin rod used as a whip) · hy անջատիչ (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt comutador (networking device) · lv slēdzis (device to turn electric current on and off) · lo ສວິດໄຟ (device to turn electric current on and off) · mn ташуур (thin rod used as a whip) · mn унтраалга (device to turn electric current on and off) · mn ᠤᠨᠲᠠᠷᠠᠭᠠᠯᠭᠠ (device to turn electric current on and off) · mk прачка (thin rod used as a whip) · ro vergea (thin rod used as a whip) · sh skrétnica (movable section of railroad track) · ca interruptor (device to turn electric current on and off) · eo enkursigilo (networking device) · de Spießrute (thin rod used as a whip) · cmn 交換機 /交换机 (networking device) · cmn 開關 /开关 (device to turn electric current on and off) · sh прекѝда̄ч (device to turn electric current on and off) · it interruttore (device to turn electric current on and off) · ht chanje (device to turn electric current on and off) · ro întrerupător (device to turn electric current on and off) · ko 개폐기 (device to turn electric current on and off) · az dəyişdirici (device to turn electric current on and off) · bg ключ (device to turn electric current on and off) · id wesel (movable section of railroad track) · vi bộ chuyển mạch (networking device) · ja 開閉器 (device to turn electric current on and off) · cs přepínač (networking device) · es latigazo (thin rod used as a whip) · tl kabtol (device to turn electric current on and off) · ru стре́лка (movable section of railroad track) · mn нээлэг (device to turn electric current on and off) · ky өчүргүч (device to turn electric current on and off) · tg калид (device to turn electric current on and off) · be выключа́цель (device to turn electric current on and off) · ia cambio (movable section of railroad track) · be камута́тар (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · ka გადართოთ (device to turn electric current on and off) · cmn 電門 /电门 (device to turn electric current on and off) · sh kòrbāč (thin rod used as a whip) · tg васлкунак (device to turn electric current on and off) · ff waylu (device to turn electric current on and off) · vi công tắc (device to turn electric current on and off) · nb pens (movable section of railroad track) · fr aiguillage (movable section of railroad track) · ro comutator (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · th สวิตช์ (device to turn electric current on and off) · ja 分岐器 (movable section of railroad track) · lt jungiklis (device to turn electric current on and off) · fa سویچ (device to turn electric current on and off) · pl switch (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · lo ສະຫວິດໄຟ (device to turn electric current on and off) · fr interrupteur (device to turn electric current on and off) · tr anahtar (device to turn electric current on and off) · mi pana (device to turn electric current on and off) · es aguja (movable section of railroad track) · my ခလုတ် (device to turn electric current on and off) · sk spínač (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt açoite (thin rod used as a whip) · fi puhelinvaihde (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · krl šähkökatkuaja (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt central telefónica (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · az çubuq (thin rod used as a whip) · izh strelkka (movable section of railroad track) · ko 포인트 (movable section of railroad track) · lv žagars (thin rod used as a whip) · it scambio (movable section of railroad track) · fi kytkin (networking device) · sv brytare (device to turn electric current on and off) · es chucho (movable section of railroad track) · ia commutator (device to turn electric current on and off) · eu etengailu (device to turn electric current on and off) · fi katkaisija (device to turn electric current on and off) · az açar (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt interruptor (device to turn electric current on and off) · ca opció (command line notation) · bg гъ́вкава пръ́чка (thin rod used as a whip) · ff 𞤱𞤢𞤴𞤤𞤵 (device to turn electric current on and off) · sh sklȍpka (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · eo plurrolulo (someone willing to switch roles in BDSM) · bn চাবি (device to turn electric current on and off) · et lüliti (device to turn electric current on and off) · cmn 點 /点 (movable section of railroad track) · da sporskifte (movable section of railroad track) · fi katkaisin (device to turn electric current on and off) · bg стре́лка (movable section of railroad track) · id sakelar (device to turn electric current on and off) · he מֶתֶג (device to turn electric current on and off) · be выключа́льнік (device to turn electric current on and off) · be ключ (device to turn electric current on and off) · bn সুইচ (device to turn electric current on and off) · vi chuyển mạch (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · ca centraleta (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · fr badine (thin rod used as a whip) · hy ճիպոտ (thin rod used as a whip) · mk развод (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · sv växel (command line notation) · es suiche (device to turn electric current on and off) · aii ܡܲܦܬܵܚܵܐ (device to turn electric current on and off) · mn ᠨᠡᠭᠡᠭᠡᠯᠭᠡ (device to turn electric current on and off) · bg комутатор (networking device) · kk ажыратқыш (device to turn electric current on and off) · fi piiska (thin rod used as a whip) · ru хлыст (thin rod used as a whip) · cy cledren droi (movable section of railroad track) · fi valitsin (command line notation) · hy սլաք (movable section of railroad track) · sh ко̀рба̄ч (thin rod used as a whip) · cy iard drefnu (movable section of railroad track) · gu ચાંપ (device to turn electric current on and off) · cy switsh (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · hu kapcsoló (device to turn electric current on and off) · ga ladhróg (movable section of railroad track) · te స్విచ్చి (device to turn electric current on and off) · ar مِقْلَاد (device to turn electric current on and off) · nn brytar (device to turn electric current on and off) · eo ŝaltilo (device to turn electric current on and off) · unm siakw (device to turn electric current on and off) · tr şalter (device to turn electric current on and off) · sq pikë (movable section of railroad track) · ru переключа́тель (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt central telefônica (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · nb svitsj (command line notation) · be камута́тар (networking device) · ro comutator (networking device) · pt switch (command line notation) · de Switch (networking device) · es switch (networking device) · lv pārmija (movable section of railroad track) · pi vijjuppavāhaniyāmaka (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt chave (device to turn electric current on and off) · pl wyłącznik (device to turn electric current on and off) · cy ffon (thin rod used as a whip) · aii ܫܲܒܘܼܛܵܐ (thin rod used as a whip) · nl schakelaar (device to turn electric current on and off) · sh prekìdāč (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt vara (thin rod used as a whip) · ba сыбыҡ (thin rod used as a whip) · de Verteiler (networking device) · da skiftespor (movable section of railroad track) · sv spö (thin rod used as a whip) · ru коммута́тор (networking device) · uk стрі́лка (movable section of railroad track) · kk сөндіргіш (device to turn electric current on and off) · uz xivchin (device to turn electric current on and off) · mk прекинувач (device to turn electric current on and off) · ja スイッチ (device to turn electric current on and off) · fi vaihde (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · bg превключва́тел (device to turn electric current on and off) · eo vergo (thin rod used as a whip) · be пераключа́льнік (device to turn electric current on and off) · nb prylestokk (thin rod used as a whip) · vi đóng ngắt (device to turn electric current on and off) · es interruptor (device to turn electric current on and off) · be стрэ́лка (movable section of railroad track) · de Weiche (movable section of railroad track) · km កុងតាក់ (device to turn electric current on and off) · fi puhelinkeskus (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · cs vypínač (device to turn electric current on and off) · it parametro (command line notation) · aii ܡܸܫܬܲܚܠܦܵܢܘܼܬܵܐ (movable section of railroad track) · fi vipu (command line notation) · ga lasc (device to turn electric current on and off) · tk wyklýuçatel (device to turn electric current on and off) · es suiche (movable section of railroad track) · sv växel (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · luy eswichi (device to turn electric current on and off) · bg суи́ч (networking device) · hi स्विच (device to turn electric current on and off) · mk свртница (movable section of railroad track) · af punt (movable section of railroad track) · es cambio (movable section of railroad track) · fi kytkin (device to turn electric current on and off) · it argomento (command line notation) · vi ngắt điện (device to turn electric current on and off) · cs výhybka (movable section of railroad track) · de Netzwerkweiche (networking device) · sv strömbrytare (device to turn electric current on and off) · nb bryter (device to turn electric current on and off) · uk комута́тор (networking device) · ja 電源 (device to turn electric current on and off) · tr nokta (movable section of railroad track) · pl zwrotnica (movable section of railroad track) · mfe take (device to turn electric current on and off) · pt agulha (movable section of railroad track) · ro selector (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · ru ключ (device to turn electric current on and off) · tk çybyk (device to turn electric current on and off) · fi vaihde (movable section of railroad track) · fi lippu (command line notation) · fr commutateur réseau (networking device) · ro macaz (movable section of railroad track) · nrf houssinne (thin rod used as a whip) · ro comutator (device to turn electric current on and off) · ca interruptor (command line notation) · pt aparelho de mudança de via (movable section of railroad track) · ky ажыраткыч (device to turn electric current on and off) · cy switsh (networking device) · fr commutateur (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · nn sporveksel (movable section of railroad track) · pl łącznik (device to turn electric current on and off) · bg комута́тор (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · da afbryder (device to turn electric current on and off) · ko 스위치 (device to turn electric current on and off) · es suich (device to turn electric current on and off) · nl wissel (movable section of railroad track) · nb sporveksel (movable section of railroad track) · pl przełącznik (device to turn electric current on and off) · cs přepínač (command line notation) · bgc खटका (device to turn electric current on and off) · uz xivchin (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines) · th ไม้เรียว (thin rod used as a whip) · vi thiết bị chuyển mạch (networking device) · fr aiguille (movable section of railroad track) · fr commutateur (command line notation) · sh скло̏пка (system allowing the interconnection of telephone lines)
Perhaps from Middle Dutch swijch (“twig”), first attested in c. 1592. The mechanical device for altering the direction of something sense is first attested in c. 1797, pertaining to pivoted rails on minecart railways, which were once wooden.
Meanings
(transitive) To exchange.
A “moving platform” scheme[…]is more technologically ambitious than maglev trains even though it relies on conventional rails. Local trains would use side-by-side rails to roll alongside intercity trains and allow passengers to switch trains by stepping through docking bays. 2013 June 1, “Ideas coming down the track”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, archived from the original on 13 Jul 2013, page 13 (Technology Quarterly):
I want to switch this red dress for a green one.
(transitive) To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.
Switch the light on.
When switched on, air brakes activate car by car, from the locomotive to the back of the train. 2013 June 1, “Ideas coming down the track”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, archived from the original on 13 Jul 2013, page 13 (Technology Quarterly):
(in modern times Southern US, transitive) To whip or hit with a switch.
"Am I going to have to switch you?" 1950, Dorothy M. Johnson, Flame on the Frontier; in Indian Country, London: Corgi, 1961, page 11:
They were looking on the ground, absorbed in thought. The manager was switching his leg with a slender twig: his sagacious relative lifted his head. 1899 March, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number MI, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part II:
(intransitive) To change places, tasks, etc.
I want to switch to a different seat.
(intransitive, slang) To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.
To swing or whisk.
to switch a cane
To be swung or whisked.
The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.
To trim.
Switch and clip thorn and other deciduous hedges. 1811, Walter Nicol, The Planters Kalendar:
To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.
to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another
There was also public praise in the days that followed for the train's driver, Andrew Johnson. It took a cool head to co-ordinate with the signaller at York ROC to have the train switched from fast to slow line, to permit the stop in Huntingdon station. 2025 November 12, Philip Haigh, “High praise for rail staff's courage and clear thinking”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 50:
To shift to another circuit.
(intransitive) To take on the opposite role (leader vs. follower) in a partner dance.
Feel free to ask her to follow, lead, or switch! 2023 February 18 (last accessed), “Heather Lombardi”, in The Dancing Fools, archived from the original on 18 Feb 2023:
(transitive) To move (the ball or equivalent) from one side of the playing area to the other.
After they switched the ball across their back half, Hurley found the hard-running Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who in turn hit up Stewart. Then the big man produced a moment of inspiration, taking on his defender before chipping the ball to Daniher, who goaled. 2018 April 15, Sarah Harrington, “Essendon defeats Port Adelaide: Jake Stringer's brilliance personifies the Bombers' response to a tough week”, in Fox Footy, Melbourne, retrieved 27 May 2025:
es trastrocar (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · hy փոխել (to exchange) · fr échanger (to exchange) · ja 切り替える (to change places or tasks) · fr fouetter (to hit with a switch (rod)) · es reemplazar (to exchange) · cs rozsvítit (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · es intercambiar (to exchange) · es substituir (to exchange) · ca canviar (to exchange) · th เปลี่ยน (to exchange) · mi whakawhitiwhiti (to exchange) · fi vaihtaa (to change places or tasks) · it picchiare (to hit with a switch (rod)) · cmn 交換 /交换 (to exchange) · sv tända (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · hy ձաղկել (to hit with a switch (rod)) · it commutare (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · bg разменям (to exchange) · es permutar (to exchange) · mk прешалтува (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · mi takahuri (to change places or tasks) · pt trocar (to exchange) · ia excambiar (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · aii ܫܲܚܠܸܦ (to exchange) · mk сменува (to exchange) · es suichar (to exchange) · fr changer (to change places or tasks) · mi whakawhiti (to exchange) · mk сменува (to change places or tasks) · sv piska (to hit with a switch (rod)) · fi antaa piiskaa (to hit with a switch (rod)) · hy փոխարկել (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · es cambiar (to exchange) · nrf souitchi (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · cmn 代替 (to exchange) · fi vaihtaa (to exchange) · it cambiare (to change places or tasks) · it scambiare (to exchange) · de austauschen (to exchange) · ja 切り替える (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · ro schimba (to change places or tasks) · ja 取り換える (to exchange) · ca commutar (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · sv slå (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · it passare (to change places or tasks) · he החליף (to exchange) · sv byta (to exchange) · sv stänga (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · sv växla (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · aii ܫܵܒ݂ܹܛ (to hit with a switch (rod)) · cs vyměnit (to exchange) · de tauschen (to exchange) · sv knäppa (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · de wechseln (to change places or tasks) · mk разменува (to change places or tasks) · cmn 取代 (to exchange) · pt vergastar (to hit with a switch (rod)) · sv slå (to hit with a switch (rod)) · de schalten (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · bg превключвам (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · cmn 換 /换 (to exchange) · ca canviar (to change places or tasks) · cmn 替代 (to exchange) · ms tukar (to exchange) · pt desligar (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · mi takahuri (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · pt ligar (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · mk разменува (to exchange) · fr commuter (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · ia commutar (to hit with a switch (rod)) · ia cambiar (to change places or tasks) · cs rožnout (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · bg сменям (to change places or tasks) · bg шибам (to hit with a switch (rod)) · nl verwisselen (to exchange) · nl schakelen (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · sv byta (to change places or tasks) · fi piiskata (to hit with a switch (rod)) · ro comuta (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · mk шалта (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · es conmutar (to exchange) · eo ŝalti (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · nl veranderen (to exchange) · pt açoitar (to hit with a switch (rod)) · th สลับ (to exchange) · es transmudar (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · eo interŝanĝi (to exchange) · sv släcka (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · sk vymeniť (to exchange) · mi whakakā (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · pt mudar (to change places or tasks) · ro schimba (to exchange) · es swichar (to exchange) · sv ändra (to exchange) · fi kytkeä (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · bg бия (to hit with a switch (rod)) · ja 交換する (to exchange) · it migrare (to change places or tasks) · eo vergi (to hit with a switch (rod)) · pt trocar (to change places or tasks) · el αλλάζω (to exchange) · sv koppla (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · cs zhasnout (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch) · es conmutar (to change (something) to the specified state using a switch)