French word

interrupteur

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃tɛʁyptœʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounswitch

Example

Appuie sur l'interrupteur pour allumer la lampe.

Press the switch to turn on the lamp.

Illustration for interrupteur (switch)

More examples

L'interrupteur d'éclairage commande la lampe du couloir.

The light switch controls the hallway lamp.

Core concept

A small electrical gate that opens or closes a circuit to turn equipment off or on.

Common phrases

  • interrupteur d'éclairage

    light switch

  • interrupteur cassé

    broken switch

Similar words

bouton: A small pressable control that starts or stops equipment.
commutateur: A control with a knob or lever that selects among multiple states.
manette: A rod-shaped handle moved by hand to control machine movement.
levier: A hand-operated bar that transfers force to move machinery.

Definition in French

Dispositif (bouton, bascule, levier) servant à établir ou interrompre le passage du courant électrique afin d'alimenter ou couper un appareil.

Word origin

Interrupteur comes from French interrompre, with -teur forming a noun for an agent or instrument, and ultimately from Latin interrumpere.

Usage tips

  • Commutateur usually refers to a switch that changes between connections or positions, while interrupteur commonly opens or closes a circuit.

Related words

Word lists with this word