Switch vs. Button: What's the Difference?

An exchange or a swap, especially one done secretly.

A generally disk-shaped fastener used to join two parts of a garment by fitting through a buttonhole or loop.

A transference or shift, as of opinion or attention.

Such an object used for decoration.

A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.

A push-button switch.

A device consisting of two sections of railroad track and accompanying apparatus used to transfer rolling stock from one track to another.

The blunt tip of a fencing foil.

A slender flexible rod, stick, or twig, especially one used for whipping.

A fused metal or glass globule.

The bushy tip of the tail of certain animals

In graphical user interface systems, a well-defined area within the interface that is clicked to select a command.

A thick strand of real or synthetic hair used as part of a coiffure.

In a hypertext database, an icon that when selected allows a user to view a particular associated object.

A flailing or lashing, as with a slender rod

An immature, unexpanded mushroom.

To exchange

The tip of a rattlesnake's rattle.

To shift, transfer, or divert

A usually round flat badge that bears a design or printed information and is typically pinned to a garment

To connect, disconnect, or divert (an electric current) by operating a switch.

(Informal) The end of the chin, regarded as the point of impact for a punch.

To cause (an electric current or appliance) to begin or cease operation

In card games, especially poker, a plastic disk or similar marker placed in front of the person who is designated as dealer for a particular hand. At the start of each hand, the first card is dealt to the left of the button and the dealing of cards continues clockwise around the table.

(Informal) To produce as if by operating a control. Often used with on

The person who is in possession of this button.

To move (rolling stock) from one track to another; shunt.

The position on the gaming table where this button is located.

To whip with a switch, especially in punishing a child.

To fasten with buttons

To jerk or swish abruptly or sharply

To decorate or furnish with buttons.

To make or undergo a shift or an exchange

(Informal) To close (the lips or mouth)

To swish sharply from side to side.

To be or be capable of being fastened with buttons

A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.

A knob or disc that is passed through a loop or (buttonhole), serving as a fastener.

A change or exchange.

A mechanical device meant to be pressed with a finger in order to open or close an electric circuit or to activate a mechanism.

A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; (set of) points.

(graphical user interface) An on-screen control that can be selected as an activator of an attached function.

A slender woody plant stem used as a whip; a thin, flexible rod, associated with corporal punishment in the United States.

(US) A badge worn on clothes, fixed with a pin through the fabric.

(musical instruments) rute.

(botany) A bud.

(computer science) A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.

The head of an unexpanded mushroom.

A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.

(slang) The clitoris.

A networking device connecting multiple wires, allowing them to communicate simultaneously, when possible. Compare to the less efficient hub device that solely duplicates network packets to each wire.

(curling) The center (bullseye) of the house.

(telecommunication) A system of specialized relays, computer hardware, or other equipment which allows the interconnection of a calling party's telephone line with any called party's line.

(fencing) The soft circular tip at the end of a foil.

(genetics) A mechanism within DNA that activates or deactivates a gene.

(poker) A plastic disk used to represent the person in last position in a poker game; also dealer's button.

(BDSM) One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.

(poker) The player who is last to act after the flop, turn and river, who possesses the button.

(historical) A separate mass or tress of hair, or of some substance (such as jute) made to resemble hair, formerly worn on the head by women.

(archaic) A person who acts as a decoy.

(card games) A variant of crazy eights where one card, such as an ace, reverses the direction of play.

A raised pavement marker to further indicate the presence of a pavement-marking painted stripe.

(transitive) To exchange.

(aviation) The end of a runway.

(transitive) To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.

A methaqualone tablet (used as a recreational drug).

To whip or hit with a switch.

A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, such as a door.

(intransitive) To change places, tasks, etc.

A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a crucible, after fusion.

To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.

A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.

To swing or whisk.

A small white blotch on a cat's coat.

To be swung or whisked.

A unit of length equal to 12 inch.

To trim.

(generally with the) The means for initiating a nuclear strike or similar cataclysmic occurrence.

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.

(lutherie) In an instrument of the violin family, the near-semicircular shape extending from the top of the back plate of the instrument, meeting the heel of the neck.

(ecclesiastical) To shift to another circuit.

(lutherie) endbutton, part of a violin-family instrument.

(snowboarding) Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.

Synonym of adjuster.

Pertaining to skiing backwards.

The least amount of care or interest; a whit or jot.

A small, flexible twig or rod.

(television) The punchy or suspenseful line of dialogue that concludes a scene.

A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another.

(comedy) The final joke at the end of a comedic act (such as a sketch, set, or scene).

A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.

(slang) A button man; a professional assassin.

A device for shifting an electric current to another circuit, or for making and breaking a circuit.

The final segment of a rattlesnake's rattle.

To strike with a switch or small flexible rod; to whip.

A clove of garlic.

To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.

(zoology) Pedicle; the attachment point for antlers in cervids.

To trim, as, a hedge.

(transitive) To fasten with a button.

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; - generally with off, from, etc.; as, to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another.

(intransitive) To be fastened by a button or buttons.

To shift to another circuit.

(informal) To stop talking.

To walk with a jerk.

A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.

Control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit

A catch, of various forms and materials, used to fasten together the different parts of dress, by being attached to one part, and passing through a slit, called a buttonhole, in the other; - used also for ornament.

An event in which one thing is substituted for another;

A bud; a germ of a plant.

Hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure

A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, as a door.

Railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock

A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a crucible, after fusion.

A flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment

To fasten with a button or buttons; to inclose or make secure with buttons; - often followed by up.

A basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other

To dress or clothe.

The act of changing one thing or position for another;

To be fastened by a button or buttons; as, the coat will not button.

Change over, change around, or switch over

A round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

Exchange or give (something) in exchange for

An electrical switch operated by pressing a button;

Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;

Any of various plant parts that resemble buttons

Make a shift in or exchange of;

A female sexual organ homologous to the penis

Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;

Provide with buttons;

Flog with or as if with a flexible rod

Fasten with buttons;

Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)