Dictionary entry details
• SWITCH (noun)
Meaning:
Control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
electric switch; electrical switch; switch
Hypernyms ("switch" is a kind of...):
control; controller (a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "switch"):
on-off switch; on/off switch; toggle; toggle switch (a hinged switch that can assume either of two positions)
time-switch (a switch set to operate at a desired time)
three-point switch; three-way switch (an electric switch that has three terminals; used to control a circuit from two different locations)
selector; selector switch (a switch that is used to select among alternatives)
button; push; push button (an electrical switch operated by pressing)
ignition switch (switch that operates a solenoid that closes a circuit to operate the starter)
cutout (a switch that interrupts an electric circuit in the event of an overload)
commutator (switch for reversing the direction of an electric current)
Meaning:
An event in which one thing is substituted for another
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Synonyms:
permutation; replacement; substitution; switch; transposition
Context example:
the replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood
Hypernyms ("switch" is a kind of...):
fluctuation; variation (an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change)
Meaning:
Hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("switch" is a kind of...):
false hair; hairpiece; postiche (a covering or bunch of human or artificial hair used for disguise or adornment)
Meaning:
Railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("switch" is a kind of...):
railroad; railroad track; railway (a line of track providing a runway for wheels)
Meaning:
A flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("switch" is a kind of...):
instrument of punishment (an instrument designed and used to punish a condemned person)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "switch"):
birch; birch rod (a switch consisting of a twig or a bundle of twigs from a birch tree; used to hit people as punishment)
cane (a stiff switch used to hit students as punishment)
ferule (a switch (a stick or cane or flat paddle) used to punish children)
ratan; rattan (a switch made from the stems of the rattan palms)
Meaning:
A basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("switch" is a kind of...):
basketball play (a play executed by a basketball team)
Meaning:
The act of changing one thing or position for another
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
switching; shift; switch
Context example:
his switch on abortion cost him the election
Hypernyms ("switch" is a kind of...):
change (the action of changing something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "switch"):
switcheroo (a sudden unexpected switch)
• SWITCH (verb)
Meaning:
Change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
switch; switch over; exchange
Hypernyms (to "switch" is one way to...):
change by reversal; reverse; turn (change to the contrary)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something PP
Somebody ----s PP
Meaning:
Exchange or give (something) in exchange for
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Synonyms:
swap; swop; switch; trade
Hypernyms (to "switch" is one way to...):
change; exchange; interchange (give to, and receive from, one another)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Meaning:
Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
switch; change; shift
Context examples:
switch to a different brand of beer / She switched psychiatrists / The car changed lanes
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "switch"):
break (change directions suddenly)
cut (make an abrupt change of image or sound)
diphthongise; diphthongize (change from a simple vowel to a diphthong)
jump; leap (pass abruptly from one state or topic to another)
channel-surf; surf (switch channels, on television)
break (change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another)
shift (change gears)
transition (make or undergo a transition (from one state or system to another))
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Make a shift in or exchange of
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
change over; shift; switch
Context example:
First Joe led; then we switched
Hypernyms (to "switch" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "switch"):
veer (shift to a clockwise direction)
back (shift to a counterclockwise direction)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
flip; switch; throw
Context examples:
switch on the light / throw the lever
Hypernyms (to "switch" is one way to...):
engage; lock; mesh; operate (keep engaged)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "switch"):
switch on; turn on (cause to operate by flipping a switch)
cut; switch off; turn off; turn out (cause to stop operating by disengaging a switch)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Flog with or as if with a flexible rod
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "switch" is one way to...):
flog; lash; lather; slash; strap; trounce; welt; whip (beat severely with a whip or rod)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
flip-flop; interchange; alternate; tack; switch; flip
Hypernyms (to "switch" is one way to...):
change by reversal; reverse; turn (change to the contrary)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
