swan

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noun

plural swans
1
plural also swan : any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked mostly pure white aquatic birds (family Anatidae, especially genus Cygnus) that have webbed feet and are related to but larger than the geese
2
: one that resembles or is likened to a swan
3
capitalized : the constellation Cygnus

Illustration of swan

Illustration of swan
  • swan 1

swan

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verb (1)

swanned; swanning

intransitive verb

: to wander aimlessly or idly : dally

swan

3 of 3

verb (2)

swanned; swanning

Examples of swan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Nataliia made a pastry swan to celebrate her grandparents, whose surname translates to the name of a wetland bird. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025 The song becomes a longing ballad to finding the person you’re meant to end up with, like swans in the wild, showing how Zardoya draws specific connections to the topography around her and the feelings that live deep inside her. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
They're led by a glamorous male mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who swans about in a glittering corset and heels. Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025 The music video, in which Tay swans around a Malibu mansion in a pastel two-piece, was more controversial. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for swan

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German swan and perhaps to Latin sonus sound — more at sound entry 1

Verb (2)

perhaps euphemism for swear

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1942, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1784, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swan was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swan. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

swan

noun
ˈswän
plural swans also swan
: any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked usually pure white water birds with webbed feet that are related to but larger than the geese

Geographical Definition

Swan

geographical name

variants or in its upper course Avon
river about 240 miles (386 kilometers) long in southwestern Western Australia flowing west into the Indian Ocean

More from Merriam-Webster on swan

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