ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Sweep

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /swiːp/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Sweep is a verb meaning (transitive) To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

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

Example Sentences

The wind sweeps across the plain.
to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney
I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.
The offended countess swept out of the ballroom.

Word Forms

Synonyms for sweep

Depending on context, synonyms include swing, brush, drag, span, cross, slam.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include swing, tangle, embroil, slam, broom, brush.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.