swab

1 of 2

noun

ˈswäb 

1

a

: mop

especially : a yarn mop

b(1)

: a wad of absorbent material usually wound around one end of a small stick and used especially for applying medication or for removing material from an area

(2)

: a specimen taken with a swab

c

: a sponge or cloth patch attached to a long handle and used to clean the bore of a firearm

2

a

: a useless or contemptible person

b

: sailor, gob

swab

2 of 2

verb

swabbed; swabbing

transitive verb

1

: to clean with or as if with a swab

2

: to apply medication to with a swab

swabbed the wound with iodine

Synonyms of swab

Noun

• sailor
• mariner
• navigator

Examples of swab in a Sentence

Noun

Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to disinfect the area.

The doctor took a throat swab and sent it to the lab.

Verb

The nurse swabbed the cut with a disinfectant.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to policy language published by the IOC, athletes seeking to compete in women’s events at the Olympics must undergo a one-time screening test, conducted through collection of blood or saliva or with a cheek swab. —Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2026

The variant was also present in samples from travelers' voluntary nose swabs. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

Verb

Even if charges are never filed or are later dismissed, Glaberson said the fear of being arrested and swabbed for DNA could discourage people from observing ICE or peacefully protesting, activities that are protected by the First Amendment. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026

Researchers swabbed several common travel items, then incubated the samples to measure bacterial growth in colony-forming units (CFUs). —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from obsolete Dutch swabbe; akin to Low German swabber mop

Verb

back-formation from swabber

First Known Use

Noun

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing swab

• cotton swab

Rhymes for swab

• blob
• bob
• cob
• daub
• fob
• glob
• gob
• hob
• job
• knob
• lob
• mob

Kids Definition

swab

1 of 2 noun

ˈswäb 

1

a

: mop entry 1 sense 1

b

: a wad of absorbent material usually wound around one end of a small stick and used especially for applying medicine or for removing material (as from a wound)

also : a sample taken with a swab

2

: sailor

swab

2 of 2 verb

swabbed; swabbing

: to use a swab on

Medical Definition

swab

1 of 2 noun

ˈswäb 

1

: a wad of absorbent material usually wound around one end of a small stick and used for applying medication or for removing material from an area

2

: a specimen taken with a swab

a throat swab

swab

2 of 2 transitive verb

swabbed; swabbing

: to apply medication to with a swab

swabbed the wound with iodine