swath

noun

ˈswäth 

ˈswȯth

variants or swathe

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

1

a

: a row of cut grain or grass left by a scythe or mowing machine

b

: the sweep of a scythe or a machine in mowing or the path cut in one course

2

: a long broad strip or belt

3

: a stroke of or as if of a scythe

4

: a space devastated as if by a scythe

Examples of swath in a Sentence

An aerial view of the countryside shows wide swathes of green.

He cut a swath through the field with his scythe.

Recent Examples on the Web

While verdant swaths of South America are considered core jaguar habitat, these wanderers of the arid north may be more adaptable and therefore important to survival as the climate changes, said Russ McSpadden, Southwest conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. —Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024

Instead of accomplishing what the company had hoped for — enticing swaths of people who would buy pricey drinks, desserts and other add-on charges or those who would become brand loyalists — the promotion was viewed by many consumers as a challenge, Salera said. —Marisa Gerber, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024

As emergency crews in three states began mopping up and assessing damage from a series of tornadoes on Sunday, more severe weather is being forecast for a large swath of the Midwest. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 May 2024

And while the locations are always real places, with an emphasis on swaths of the American South — as his name suggests, Minervini is Italian, but he’s lived in the U.S. since 2000 — the director transforms them into sublime backdrops for his gritty tales of poverty and abandon. —Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English swæth footstep, trace; akin to Middle High German swade swath

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

swath

noun

ˈswäth 

ˈswȯth

variants or swathe

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

1

a

: the sweep of a scythe or machine in mowing or the path cut in one course

b

: a row of cut grain or grass

2

: a long broad strip or belt

3

: a space destroyed as if by a mowing machine