Meaning

(transitive) To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush.
2. (intransitive) To move through a (horizontal) arc or similar long stroke.
3. (transitive) To search (a place) methodically.
4. (intransitive, figuratively) To travel quickly.
5. (cricket) To play a sweep shot.
6. (curling) To brush the ice in front of a moving stone, causing it to travel farther and to curl less.
7. (transitive, ergative) To move something in a long sweeping motion, as a broom.
8. (sports, transitive) To win (a series) without drawing or losing any of the games in that series.

Example Sentences

to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney

I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.

The wind sweeps across the plain.

The offended countess swept out of the ballroom.

[H]as the course of the argument so accustomed you to agreeing that you were swept by it into a ready assent?

Drifting thus, we made fast time down the bank through Cove Bay, and at 72 m.p.h. came sweeping round the curve past Girdleness light house, and so to the first sight of Aberdeen itself.

Everton took that disputed lead in a moment that caused anger to sweep around the Emirates.

The channel was swept twice before the battlefleet proceeded through it.

Word Forms

• sweeps
• sweeping
• swept

Synonyms for sweep

Related Words

When Should You Use Sweep?

Use sweep when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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