Sweep Definition

swēp
sweeping, sweeps, swept
verb
sweeping, sweeps, swept
To clean a surface, room, etc. with or as with a broom or the like.
Webster's New World
To remove or clear away (dirt, debris, etc.) as with a broom or brushing movement.
Webster's New World
To clear away with a broom or brush.
Swept snow from the steps.
American Heritage
To move, pass, or progress steadily or smoothly, esp. with speed, force, or gracefulness.
Planes sweeping across the sky, music sweeping to a climax.
Webster's New World
To clear (a space, path, etc.) with or as with a broom.
Webster's New World
noun
sweeps
The act of sweeping, as with a broom.
Webster's New World
A continuous sweeping or driving movement.
The sweep of a scythe.
Webster's New World
A thorough search of an area.
A police sweep for drug dealers.
American Heritage
A stroke or blow resulting from this.
Webster's New World
A search for and removal of electronic eavesdropping devices, as in a room.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
idiom
sweep (someone) off (someone's) feet
  • To cause someone to be admiring or infatuated.
American Heritage
sweep under the rug
  • To avoid discussing or dealing with (something negative or troubling).
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Sweep

Noun

Singular:
sweep
Plural:
sweeps

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Sweep

  • sweep (someone) off (someone's) feet
  • sweep under the rug

Origin of Sweep

  • From Old English swāpan. Cognate with Early Mod. West Frisian swiepe (“whip, cleanse, sweep"), from Old Frisian swÄ“pa, suepa (“sweep"). see also swoop.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English swepen perhaps from swepe past tense of swopen to sweep along swoop

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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