sweep Meaning & Definition
What Does Sweep Mean?
As a verb, sweep means To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush. It is also used to mean To move through a (horizontal) arc or similar long stroke. As a noun, it means A single action of sweeping. As a noun, it means A methodical search, typically for bugs (electronic listening devices).
Sweep in Brief
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /swiːp/ |
| Synonyms | brush, drag and span |
| Plural | sweeps |
| Verb forms | sweeps, sweeping, swept |
Sweep Definition (Verb)
- To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush.
to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney
- To move through a (horizontal) arc or similar long stroke.
The wind sweeps across the plain.
- To search (a place) methodically.
- To travel quickly.
They've swept to power with an overwhelming majority.
- To play a sweep shot.
- To brush the ice in front of a moving stone, causing it to travel farther and to curl less.
- To move something in a long sweeping motion, as a broom.
- To win (a series) without drawing or losing any of the games in that series.
- To defeat (a team) in a series without drawing or losing any of the games in that series.
- To clear (a body of water or part thereof) of mines.
The channel was swept twice before the battlefleet proceeded through it.
- To remove something abruptly and thoroughly.
She swept the peelings off the table onto the floor.
- To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
- To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
- To strike with a long stroke.
- To row with one oar to either the port or starboard side.
- To draw or drag something over.
to sweep the bottom of a river with a net
- To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation.
to sweep the heavens with a telescope
- To vacuum a carpet or rug.
Sweep as a Noun
- A single action of sweeping.
Give the front steps a quick sweep to get rid of those fallen leaves.
- The person who steers a dragon boat.
- A person who stands at the stern of a surf boat, steering with a steering oar and commanding the crew.
- A chimney sweep.
- A methodical search, typically for bugs .
- A batsman's shot, played from a kneeling position with a swinging horizontal bat.
Bradman attempted a sweep, but in fact top edged the ball to the wicket keeper
- A lottery, usually on the results of a sporting event, where players win if their randomly chosen team wins.
Jim will win fifty dollars in the office sweep if Japan wins the World Cup.
- A flow of water parallel to shore caused by wave action at an ocean beach or at a point or headland.
- The degree to which an aircraft's wings are angled backwards (or, occasionally, forwards) from their attachments to the fuselage.
The MiG-17's inner wing has 45 degrees of sweep.
- A throw or takedown that primarily uses the legs to attack an opponent's legs.
- Violent and general destruction.
the sweep of an epidemic disease
- A movable template for making moulds, in loam moulding.
- In the game casino, the act of capturing all face-up cards from the table.
- The compass of any turning body or of any motion.
the sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye
- Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, etc. away from a rectilinear line.
- A large oar situated at the stern in small vessels, partly to propel them and partly to steer them.
- A rowing style in which each rower rows with oar on either the port or starboard side.
I am primarily a sweep rower.
- The almond furnace.
- A long pole, or piece of timber, moved on a horizontal fulcrum fixed to a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well for drawing water.
- Any of the blades of a windmill.
- The sweepings of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc.
- Any of several sea chubs in the family Kyphosidae (subfamily Scorpidinae).
- An expanse or a swath, a strip of land.
- singular of sweeps (“viewership ratings”)
- (possibly US, regional) The act of police removing a homeless encampment from a public space.
Noun
- A methodical search, typically for bugs (electronic listening devices).
- A movable templet for making moulds, in loam moulding.
- A large oar used in small vessels, partly to propel them and partly to steer them.
- (refining) The almond furnace.
- (in the plural) The sweepings of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc.
- Any of several sea chub in the kyphosid subfamily Scorpidinae.
Verb
- (including) to vacuum a carpet or rug
Synonyms of Sweep
Sweep in a Sentence
to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney
The wind sweeps across the plain.
The offended countess swept out of the ballroom.
They've swept to power with an overwhelming majority.
The channel was swept twice before the battlefleet proceeded through it.
She swept the peelings off the table onto the floor.
The wind sweeps the snow from the hills.
The flooded river swept away the wooden dam.
to sweep the bottom of a river with a net
to sweep the heavens with a telescope
Give the front steps a quick sweep to get rid of those fallen leaves.
Bradman attempted a sweep, but in fact top edged the ball to the wicket keeper
Jim will win fifty dollars in the office sweep if Japan wins the World Cup.
The MiG-17's inner wing has 45 degrees of sweep.
the sweep of an epidemic disease
the sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye
I am primarily a sweep rower.
Their long descending train, / With rubies edg'd and sapphires, swept the plain.
Word Forms & Grammar
sweep (third-person singular simple present sweeps, present participle sweeping, simple past and past participle swept)
sweep (plural sweeps)
Words That Rhyme With Sweep
Origin of Sweep
From Middle English swepen, from Proto-West Germanic *swaipijan (unattested in Old English), from Proto-Germanic *swaipijaną. Cognate with Early Modern West Frisian swiepe (“whip, cleanse, sweep”), from Old Frisian swēpa, suepa (“sweep”). More distantly related to Old Norse sveipa (whence Swedish svepa). See also swoop.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sweep
Is sweep a verb or a noun?
Sweep is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for sweep?
You can replace sweep with words such as brush, drag and span. See the full list of sweep synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of sweep?
The plural of sweep is sweeps.
What is the past tense of sweep?
The past tense of sweep is swept. The present participle is sweeping.