swath

noun

ˈswäth 

ˈswȯth

variants or swathe

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h, 

ˈswāt͟h 

1

a

: a row of cut grain or grass left by a scythe or mowing machine

b

: the sweep of a scythe or a machine in mowing or the path cut in one course

2

: a long broad strip or belt

3

: a stroke of or as if of a scythe

4

: a space devastated as if by a scythe

Examples of swath in a Sentence

An aerial view of the countryside shows wide swathes of green.

He cut a swath through the field with his scythe.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some neighbors greeted news of the project’s demise with relief, saying the location — a residential area with large swaths of undeveloped land — was inappropriate for a commercial venture. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Lawmakers’ concerns revolve around the national security risks of sharing wide swaths of data and information with AI companies in China, which often provide cheaper, open source tools compared with their American counterparts. —Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026

The historically conservative district covers a broad swath of Nampa south of Interstate 84. —Mark Dee april 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026

Roman will pair a large field of view with crisp infrared vision to survey deep, vast swaths of sky. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English swæth footstep, trace; akin to Middle High German swade swath

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for swath

• broth
• cloth
• doth
• froth
• goth
• loth
• moth
• wroth
• broadcloth
• cheesecloth
• loincloth
• neckcloth

Kids Definition

swath

noun

ˈswäth 

ˈswȯth

variants or swathe

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h, 

ˈswāt͟h

1

a

: the sweep of a scythe or machine in mowing or the path cut in one course

b

: a row of cut grain or grass

2

: a long broad strip or belt

3

: a space destroyed as if by a mowing machine