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

The Unopiù outdoor furniture is swathed in custom fabrics from Loro Piana, while the seats, designed by Maison Drucker—the oldest artisanal manufacturer of rattan chairs—are embellished with a colorful weave on the seats and backs. — Francesca Longoni, Architectural Digest, 18 July 2026

Track seven swathes a nervous dub rhythm in cottony pads and opulent harps; track eight takes us out on an uncharacteristically beatless swirl, like a tide pool full of sea anemones. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026

Each has a long patio with seating, and sliding doors open to reveal a huge angular four-poster swathed in mosquito netting and enough floor space to hold a dance recital. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

With that, designers are creating unexpected pairings, such as marrying it to a graphic abstract, adding a splash of leopard, or even swathing an entire space in a single ivy-forward pattern. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026

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