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

Pritzker even used an appearance on MSNBC to recite the U.S. Capitol switchboard number. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

The 500,000-square-foot plant east of Interstate 35W near Everman produces electrical switchboards for data centers. —Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025

Again, the Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121. —Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2025

After that evening at Mar-a-Lago, Kirk had no difficulty gaining access to the Oval Office, and his calls to Trump were regularly patched in by the White House switchboard operator. —Malcolm Hillgartner Krish Seenivasan Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 10 Feb. 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