swath

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

swath

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈswät͟h  ˈswäth 

ˈswȯt͟h, 

ˈswȯth

variant of swathe entry 1

1

: a band used in swathing

2

: an enveloping medium

Examples of swath in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

The project is predicated on the theme that the title suggests — love of self, love of others, love for her daughter Hazel — while embracing a swath of styles spanning quiet storm to smooth, finger-snapped R&B. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

But despite its size, a swath of customers on its opening day made the space feel crowded. — Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026

Development and wildfires have destroyed swaths of the plants’ habitat, while climate change is threatening to make much of what remains inhospitable. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

The 4th District spans a geographically diverse swath of northern El Dorado County, combining suburban communities near Highway 50 with rural foothill communities stretching north through the Georgetown Divide. — Haley Parsley october 2, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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