switchboard

noun

switch·​board ˈswich-ˌbȯrd 

: an apparatus (as in a telephone exchange) consisting of a panel on which are mounted electric switches so arranged that a number of circuits may be connected, combined, and controlled

Examples of switchboard in a Sentence

She used to work as a switchboard operator.

Recent Examples on the Web

The phone number listed turned out to be the main switchboard for the Trump International Hotel in Chicago, where Ahmed used to own a condo. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025

There was a little bit of an Inside Out-esque vibe in the mind’s switchboard. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Though of course the tattooed switchboard operators at HQ, posting updates on the bounty board, make an appearance or two. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025

This was just one corner of a far larger sandbox, filled with bespoke hospitality services, crime-syndicate clans, mysterious cabals, weapons sommeliers and networks of switchboard operators decked out in rockabilly couture. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for switchboard

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword

Kids Definition

switchboard

noun

switch·​board -ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

: a device (as in a telephone exchange) consisting of a panel on which are mounted electric switches so arranged that a number of circuits may be connected, combined, and controlled