telephone central where circuits are completed with patchcords
"The old hotel relied on a manual switchboard to connect guest rooms by plugging in patchcords."
The electronic panel that is used to direct telephone calls to the desired recipient.
"The receptionist answered every incoming call on the main switchboard and connected them to the correct department."
In plain English: A switchboard is an old-fashioned panel with many buttons used to connect phone calls manually before automatic systems existed.
"She carefully transferred each call on the old switchboard to keep the line moving smoothly during the busy morning rush."
Usage: A switchboard is an automated system or physical desk where operators manually connect incoming phone lines, though modern versions are often fully digital and invisible to users. You will typically encounter this term in contexts describing older office setups or emergency services rather than personal home phones.
The word switchboard is a straightforward compound of "switch" and "board." It was first used to describe the physical panel containing electrical switches that operators used to connect telephone calls.