Illustration of sweep
- sweep 1a
swept
ˈswept 
; sweeping
; sweeping
1
a
: to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush
swept the crumbs from the table
b
: to destroy completely : wipe out
—usually used with away
… everything she cherished, might be swept away overnight …—
Louis Bromfield
Louis Bromfield
c
: to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action
swept the books off the desk
d
: to remove from sight or consideration
the problem can't be swept under the rug
e
: to drive or carry along with irresistible force
a wave of protest that swept the opposition into office
2
a
: to clean with or as if with a broom or brush
b
: to clear by repeated and forcible action
c
: to move across or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly
… fire swept the business district …—Amer. Guide Series: Md.
Amer. Guide Series: Md.
d
: to win an overwhelming victory in or on
sweep the elections
e
: to win all the games or contests of
sweep a double-header
sweep a series
3
: to touch in passing with a swift continuous movement
4
: to trace or describe the locus or extent of (something, such as a line, circle, or angle)
5
: to cover the entire range of
his eyes swept the horizon
1
a
: to clean a surface with or as if with a broom
b
: to move swiftly, forcefully, or devastatingly
the wind swept through the treetops
2
: to go with stately or sweeping movements
proudly swept into the room
3
: to move or extend in a wide curve or range
see also sweep one off one's feet, sweep the board
1
2
a
: an instance of sweeping
especially
: a clearing out or away with or as if with a broom
b
: the removal from the table in one play in casino of all the cards by pairing or combining
c
: an overwhelming victory
d
: a winning of all the contests or prizes in a competition
e
: a wide-ranging search of an area (as by police)
3
a
: a movement of great range and force
b
: a curving or circular course or line
c
: the compass of a sweeping movement : scope
d
: a broad unbroken area or extent
a sweep of wildflowers
e
: an end run in football in which one or more linemen pull back and run interference for the ballcarrier
4
5
6
: obliquity with respect to a reference line
sweep of an airplane wing
especially
: sweepback
7
sweeps plural
: a television ratings period during which surveys are taken to determine advertising rates
Examples of sweep in a Sentence
Verb
He swept the dirt off the driveway.
He swept the crumbs from the table.
I need to sweep the kitchen.
Are you finished sweeping the porch?
A storm swept across the plains.
Fires swept through the forest.
She proudly swept into the room.
The limo swept up to the door.
He swept the curtains aside.
She swept the books off the desk.
Noun
Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople.
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
In recent weeks, powerful atmospheric river storms have swept across Washington, Oregon and California, unloading enormous amounts of rain.
—Farshid Vahedifard, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
Just like the incident a week prior, DC airport controllers were watching unknown targets dip, stop, vanish and reappear on radar screens for hours across a 100-mile sweep.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Obviously, the Panthers would prefer to handle their own business and sweep the Buccaneers to claim the top spot naturally.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
In recent weeks, powerful atmospheric river storms have swept across Washington, Oregon and California, unloading enormous amounts of rain.
—Farshid Vahedifard, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
Noun
The humanoid performs spins, punches, one-legged stances, rapid kicks, and low sweeps, then transitions into aerobatic sequences.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
Just like the incident a week prior, DC airport controllers were watching unknown targets dip, stop, vanish and reappear on radar screens for hours across a 100-mile sweep.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep
Cite this Entry
“Sweep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweep. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sweep
1 of 2 verb
swept
ˈswept
; sweeping
; sweeping
1
a
: to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush
sweep the dirt off the rug
b
: to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action
swept the books off the desk
c
: to drive or carry along with great force
2
a
: to clean with or as if with a broom or brush
sweep the floor
b
: to move across or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly
a storm swept across the plains
c
: to win all of
the presidential candidate swept the western states
3
: to move with stately or sweeping movements
swept into the room
4
: to move or extend in a wide curve or range
sweeper
noun
sweep
2 of 2 noun1
: a long movable pole on a post that is used to raise and lower a bucket (as in a well)
2
a
: an act or instance of sweeping
b
: a decisive victory
c
: a winning of all the contests
3
a
: a movement of great range and force
b
: a curving or circular course or line
c
: range entry 1 sense 6a, scope
outside the sweep of our vision
4
5
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