swathe

1 of 2

noun

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h 

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h  ˈswäth 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

1

: a band used in swathing

2

: an enveloping medium

swathe

2 of 2

verb

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h 

swathed; swathing

transitive verb

1

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

2

: envelop

a mountain swathed by clouds

Synonyms

Verb

• wrap
• envelop
• shroud
• enclose
• bosom

Examples of swathe in a Sentence

Verb

The nurse swathed the wounded soldier's leg in bandages.

Her neck was swathed in jewels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That’s why architect Catherine Sloan chose wood lap siding (swathed in Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, OC-45), a cedar-shingle roof, and wood windows. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025

Where contemporary designers like Frances Merrill are swathing a room in a single bold hue, or tones of a single hue, the Carsons' office is equally drenched in a more muted tone. —Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025

And, with plenty of pets coming and going, Cherry thought of the four-legged residents and guests, too; most of the furniture is swathed in dog-friendly fabrics, without any compromises on the design. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2025

Another picture of the model lounging recalls a memorable photo of the designer sprawled across her bed, which features a curved sunburst pattern, in a room swathed in florals, lace, and a leopard print rug. —Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English *swæth; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

Verb

Middle English, from Old English swathian

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

swathe

1 of 2 verb

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

swathed; swathing

1

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

2

: envelop

swathe

2 of 2 noun

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h,

ˈswäth,

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

: a band used in swathing