swatted; swatting
Definition of swat
(Entry 1 of 4)
: to hit with a sharp slapping blow usually with an instrument (such as a bat or flyswatter)
swatted the ball for a home run
swat
noun (1)Definition of swat (Entry 2 of 4)
1
: a powerful or crushing blow
swat
verb (2)
swatted; swatting; swats
Definition of swat (Entry 3 of 4)
: to make a false report of an ongoing serious crime in order to elicit a response from law enforcement (such as the dispatch of a SWAT unit)
Special FBI Agent John Bennett of San Francisco said in a statement to CBS, that those who swat want to see "a tactical response" – specifically, they "want to see armed officers, they want to see a bomb, dogs, helicopters – that's all part of the fun."— Bryn Lovitt The congresswoman had just been "swatted," or subjected to a malicious act in which a person hides their identity, then calls the cops and reports a violent crime at the address of whomever they're targeting.— Ryan Grenoble
Definition of SWAT (Entry 4 of 4)
: a police or military unit specially trained and equipped to handle unusually hazardous situations or missions
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Food
-
- Name these cookies!

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share swat
Time Traveler for swat
The first known use of swat was circa 1796
See more words from the same year