swathe

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h, 

ˈswāt͟h 

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h  ˈswäth 

ˈswȯt͟h, 

ˈswȯth

1

: a band used in swathing

2

: an enveloping medium

swathe

2 of 3

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

swathe

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h, 

ˈswāt͟h 

variant of swath

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

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

This natural history is reflected in the city's grand cloak of Art Deco, neoclassical, and Romanesque architecture, the buildings' façades swathed in stone and iron detailing and girded by skeletons of steel. — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Jane Marsching, swathed in a deep-blue apron printed with white leaves, hums beneath a linden tree. — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026

In total, the home spans five bedrooms and nine bathrooms, including a powder room swathed in a punchy wallcovering decorated with pink pineapples. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026

Composed of top-of-the-line cotton and swathed in a rich Ruby Red for fall, the zip-up also comes with a drawstring hood and channels an inherently nostalgic, Americana kind of energy. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Verb

Middle English, from Old English swathian

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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