swan

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noun

ˈswän 

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

Swan : the constellation Cygnus

Illustration of swan

• swan 1

swan

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verb (1)

swanned; swanning

intransitive verb

: to wander aimlessly or idly : dally

swan

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verb (2)

swanned; swanning

intransitive verb

dialect

: declare, swear

Examples of swan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In recent weeks, city officials have ramped up cleaning efforts in the park by having crews pressure wash walkways, disinfect areas where swans gather on the shoreline and remove feeders. —Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026

From reporting on the rise of chrome to lauding the return of swan decor and the emergence of the Unexpected Lamp Theory, 2025 was a year of nostalgic comebacks. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Dec. 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

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

Phrases Containing swan

• mute swan
• swan boat
• swan dive
• swan song
• trumpeter swan
• tundra swan
• whistling swan
• whooper swan

Rhymes for swan

• aune
• bon
• bonne
• brawn
• chon
• con
• conn
• crohn
• dawn
• drawn
• fawn
• gone

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

ˈswän 

variants or in its upper course Avon

ˈa-vən 

river about 240 miles (386 kilometers) long in southwestern Western Australia flowing west into the Indian Ocean