switching

Pluralswitchings (some meanings)

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle of switch.

   He is switching jobs after five years at the same company.

   The store is switching to paper bags to cut down on plastic.

   Note

   The -ing form does double duty. In "is switching jobs" it builds a progressive verb. In "switching jobs is risky" it acts as a noun while still taking an object. It carries every meaning of switch: exchanging, flipping a device to a new state, changing places, whipping with a twig, and a slang use for flaring suddenly into anger. Only the true noun takes a plural, switchings, as in the punishment sense.

2. 2
   noununcountable

   The act of changing from one product or service provider to another.

   Switching between phone carriers saved her thirty dollars a month.

   Many households consider switching when their energy bills climb.

3. 3
   noununcountable

   Passing packets of data between networked devices, either within a single network or across networks.

   Network switching directs each data packet toward its destination.

   The router handles switching between several connected devices.

   Note

   In computing and networking, the word names the work done at each junction of a network. A device reads the addressing information on each incoming packet and relays it toward the correct outgoing port or path. The picture is close to moving a locomotive between tracks: the packet is sent onto the right line, not carried end to end. With no article, as in network switching, it names the function as a whole.

4. 4
   noununcountable

   Changing the fund in which an investment is held.

   Switching between funds let the investor chase higher returns.

   The pension plan allows free switching once a year.

5. 5
   noununcountable

   The act of shunting a locomotive onto a different track, as in a rail yard or at a junction.

   Switching the locomotive onto the freight line required careful signaling.

   Heavy switching in the rail yard delayed the morning trains.

   Similarshunting

6. 6
   noununcountable

   The back-and-forth movement of an animal's tail or a similar part.

   The switching of the cow's tail drove away the swarming flies.

   Rapid switching of the cat's tail signaled its growing irritation.

   Similarswishing, flicking

7. 7
   nouncountable

   Punishment carried out by striking someone with a switch, a thin twig or bundle of twigs.

   The schoolmaster administered a switching to any boy caught cheating.

   She still remembered the sting of a switching cut from her grandmother's garden.

   Similarwhipping, thrashing, beating, caning

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