on/off switch
2
2.2
- noun
- /ˈɔnˌɔf swɪtʃ/
- The controller senses electrical frequency and functions as an automatic on/off switch for stand-alone pumps.
Examples
-
A simple on/off switch should do the trick.
Blog text (3) -
Its on/off switch is buried behind stacks of soft drink cases.
Fiction book (1990) -
Terri's hand hovers near the on/off switch of the TV.
Fiction book (1992) -
There are flashlights on the market that have strobe or SOS functions, or flashlights that allow you to change the brightness of your light output depending on how many times you push the on/off switch.
Blog text (3) -
To turn on the lights, simply press the on/off switch near the door.
-
He reached for the on/off switch to turn off the computer before leaving.
-
Make sure the on/off switch is set to 'off' before unplugging the device.
Synonyms
8
3.9
A control that changes between two states like on and off
1
2.0
A control that turns power to a device on or off
1
3.9
A small lever you move to turn electric power on or off
1
2.8
A device that connects and cuts the flow of electricity to turn a light or machine on and off
A small device on a wall that turns electricity on and off
How Configurable
Surface Forms
Morphology
on/off + switch
The meaning is directly and literally composed from 'on'/'off' (opposite electrical states) and 'switch' (a device that opens or closes circuits). This device-naming pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows 'on', 'off' and 'switch' will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
On/off switch comes from the small switch you move between on and off positions; when the switch is on it lets 'power' into a machine and when it is off it stops the 'power', so the name now means the control that starts or stops a device.