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 of swathe

Verb

• wrap
• shroud
• envelop
• 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

When not swathed in Dior, Taylor-Joy will opt for the super-feminine and subversive designs of Dilara Findikoglu (like that corseted Little White Dress to ring in the festive season), or the high-drama couture gowns of Margiela or Ashi Studio. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Dec. 2025

At the height of the Great Depression, a woman onscreen swathed in fur made a statement of both style and wealth. —Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 5 Dec. 2025

Cloud 9 also ushers in Moroney’s pink era, with the album’s cover swathed in candy-pink hues. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2025

Give Green a Go Seemingly perched amid the surrounding forest canopy, the verdant breakfast nook is swathed in Orangerie wallpaper from Zak + Fox, which distinguishes it from the kitchen. —Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 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