switchboard
switchboard Lexical Profile
switchboard Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An installation or piece of equipment in a telephone exchange, office, or hotel where incoming and outgoing calls are routed and connected.
"The receptionist expertly managed the busy switchboard, ensuring that every caller was quickly transferred to the correct department."
A panel or assembly of panels containing switches, meters, and other devices used to control and direct the flow of electrical power within a building or system.
"During the inspection, the electrician checked the main switchboard in the basement to verify that the circuits were not overloaded."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed as a compound of 'switch' and 'board' in the late 19th century, originally referring to the manual panels used by operators to physically connect early telephone and electrical lines.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.