Definition

1. Noun:
   • A switch or device for choosing among alternatives: A mechanical or electronic component that allows a user to choose from different options, settings, or inputs.
   • A person who chooses or selects: An individual responsible for making a choice, especially in contexts like sports teams, committees, or juries.

Examples

• Noun (Device):
  • Use the selector on the dashboard to switch between driving modes.
  • The washing machine has a temperature selector for different fabrics.
• Noun (Person):
  • The national team selector will announce the squad tomorrow.
  • She worked as a selector for the art gallery, choosing which pieces to exhibit.

Advanced Usage

• In computing and programming: A "selector" often refers to a pattern or string used to identify and style elements in a document, such as a CSS selector in web design.
  • The CSS selector h1.title targets all heading elements with the class "title".
• In statistics and machine learning: A "feature selector" is an algorithm or method for choosing the most relevant variables from a dataset.
  • The model's performance improved after using a feature selector.

Variants and Related Words

• Select (verb): To choose from a number of possibilities.
  • Please select your preferred language.
• Selection (noun): The action or process of choosing someone or something.
  • The final selection was very difficult.
• Selective (adjective): Characterized by careful choice.
  • He is very selective about the projects he accepts.

Synonyms

• Chooser: One who makes a selection.
• Picker: One who selects (often used informally).
• Switch: A device for making and breaking an electrical connection (for the device meaning).

Related Phrases

• Selector switch: A specific type of switch with multiple positions for selecting different circuits or functions.
  • Turn the selector switch to "off" before servicing the equipment.

Noun

1. a switch that is used to select among alternatives
2. a person who chooses or selects out