Etymology 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.
A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.
2
A change or exchange.
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:
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:
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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:
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Rail transport, Railways, TransportPhilippines, US A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; (set of) points.
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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:
Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.
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Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Programming, Sciences A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.
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Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Networking, Physical sciences, Sciences 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.
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Communications, Electrical engineering, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Telecommunications 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.
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Biology, Genetics, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences A mechanism within DNA that activates or deactivates a gene.
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BDSM, Lifestyle, SexualityEspecially 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:
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Historical 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.
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Card games, Games A variant of crazy eights where one card, such as an ace, reverses the direction of play.
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:
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports 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:
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The process of the currently fronting headmate changing; an instance of this.
Multiplicity slang
Switches only happen once every couple weeks for us, but they're quite sudden when they happen.
Etymology 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.
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):
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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):
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In modern times Southern US To whip or hit with a switch.
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:
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To change places, tasks, etc.
I want to switch to a different seat.
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Slang To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.
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To swing or whisk.
to switch a cane
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To be swung or whisked.
The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.
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To trim.
Switch and clip thorn and other deciduous hedges.1811, Walter Nicol, The Planters Kalendar:
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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 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:
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports 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:
Etymology 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.
1
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Snowboarding, Sports Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.