I suppose we might define "outlet" as a hole electricity comes out of......a switch goes in a hole that electricity might pass through, but doesn't come out of.
A switch doesn't really "use" electricity- it just controlls it. Same for panels, starters, photocells, motion sensors, and many timers.
How do we tell is something "uses" electricity? Lok at how we wire it. If it is wired in series, it doesn't use electricity. If it is in parallel- as receptacles are- then it's probably an outlet. (Please, motor control guys, let this slide!)
Let's keep it simple- things are complicated enough already!