switch-on
noun
the act or process of switching on an ignition, light, appliance, etc.
switch-on
American
[swich-on, -awn]
/ ˈswɪtʃˌɒn, -ˌɔn /
noun
switch on
British
verb
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to cause (a device) to operate by or as if by moving a switch, knob, or lever; turn on
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informal (tr) to produce (charm, tears, etc) suddenly or automatically
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informal (tr) (now slightly dated) to make up-to-date, esp regarding outlook, dress, etc
-
slang (tr) to arouse emotionally or sexually
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slang (intr) to take or become intoxicated by drugs
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slang (tr) to introduce (someone) to drugs
switch on
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of switch-on
Noun use of verb phrase switch on
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Instead, organisers have been left scrambling to organise a muted switch-on, with Sunday's event cancelled following advice from its safety advisory group, amid nationwide security concerns in the wake of the Manchester synagogue attack.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2025
The market's opening day coincided with the Belfast Christmas lights switch-on, with a number of roads in the city centre closed.
From BBC ● Nov. 16, 2024
The stage was set in Market Square for the Christmas lights switch-on, an event that draws thousands for music, merriment and a night of festive shopping.
From BBC ● Nov. 22, 2023
Hundreds of people headed to a North Yorkshire town's seafront to see the light switch-on of its "fishtive" Christmas tree.
From BBC ● Dec. 4, 2022
Thursday's Christmas tree lights switch-on was also cancelled due to the bad weather forecast, the council confirmed.
From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2022
"These black holes are separated by enormous differences in mass, but they appear to switch on their jets at the same point in the feeding process," Dr. Goodwin said.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Bangladesh is preparing to switch on its first nuclear power plant, a long-delayed project promising relief from chronic electricity shortages -- even as some fear living beside it.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Bass talked about her efforts to wean L.A. city completely off of coal-generated power, which it achieved in December 2025, and turning the switch on for one of the largest solar projects in the nation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
The tools switch on for the new year the same season the guardrail comes off.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
Alex reached over and flipped the mute switch on the Gameboy.
From "Eleven" by Tom Rogers
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
