swale

noun

ˈswāl 

: a low-lying or depressed and often wet stretch of land

also : a shallow depression on a golf course

Examples of swale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Deputies have identified a man found dead in a grass swale last month and are asking for the public’s help in locating the driver who hit him, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Cole dug rainwater swales, installed a woodstove, and planted vegetables. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

In xeriscaping, when creating landscapes that require significantly less watering, rock gardens and dry swales are perfect spots for using gravel groundcoverings. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 June 2026

Add a drainage ditch or swale to absorb water during storms. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for swale

• ail
• ale
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail