Word
switchboard
Phoneticsswitch·board, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈswɪtʃˌbɔɹd/
UK/swˈɪtʃbɔːd/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a piece of equipment that connects telephone calls or electrical circuits. In a hospital or office, it is the central point where you call for help or information.
n. a central point of connection for electrical circuits or telephone lines. In a medical or administrative context, it refers to the central station for receiving and directing calls or emergency requests.
Examples
“Please call the switchboard for help with your room key.”
“The nurse called the switchboard to request an immediate transfer to the intensive care unit.”
“Modern digital systems have largely replaced the manual switchboard, though the term remains in common use to describe the central hub of a hospital's communication network.”
Examples
simple
“Please call the switchboard for help with your room key.”
contextual
“The nurse called the switchboard to request an immediate transfer to the intensive care unit.”
complex
“Modern digital systems have largely replaced the manual switchboard, though the term remains in common use to describe the central hub of a hospital's communication network.”
Etymology
From switch + board.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/switchboard