switch on
phrasal verb
switched on; switching on; switches on
: to turn on (something) by turning or pushing a button or moving a switch, lever, etc.
I switched on the TV.
She switched the light on.
Examples of switch on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Only the muscle twitching in her neck betrays this queenly act; how Shaw manages to switch on this apparently involuntary tell is a thespian mystery.
—
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
This opioid pathway switches on an appetite specifically tuned for sugar, even when the mouse merely perceives that there’s sugar around.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2025
Kaitlyn can switch on a dime between tragedy, horror and comedy.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Plus, there’s a dedicated hardware mode switch on the bottom edge to switch the controller and virtual-mouse-and-keyboard modes.
—Sean Hollister, The Verge, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for switch on 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
This opioid pathway switches on an appetite specifically tuned for sugar, even when the mouse merely perceives that there’s sugar around.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2025
Kaitlyn can switch on a dime between tragedy, horror and comedy.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Plus, there’s a dedicated hardware mode switch on the bottom edge to switch the controller and virtual-mouse-and-keyboard modes.
—Sean Hollister, The Verge, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for switch on
Dictionary Entries Near switch on
Cite this Entry
“Switch on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/switch%20on. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share