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

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)'s executive committee meeting was met by a swath of loud protesters on Friday. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025

Those films cater to the widest swath of the public, bringing in adolescents and adults in addition to families with younger kids. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 June 2025

In the mid 1800s, vast swaths of the island’s forest were cleared for sugarcane farming; by 1900, sugar had become one of the Philippines’ most lucrative exports. —Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025

The event, which raised $1.58 million for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, drew a wide swath of menswear executives including Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO of Perry Ellis International, whose father George Feldenkreis was recognized at the event. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 13 June 2025

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

Rhymes for swath

• broth
• cloth
• doth
• froth
• goth
• loth
• moth
• wroth
• broadcloth
• cheesecloth
• loincloth
• neckcloth

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