swath

1 of 3

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

swathe

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h, 

ˈswāt͟h 

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h  ˈswäth 

ˈswȯt͟h, 

ˈswȯth

1

: a band used in swathing

2

: an enveloping medium

swathe

3 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

Synonyms of swath

Verb

• wrap
• shroud
• envelop
• enclose
• bosom

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.

Verb

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

Her neck was swathed in jewels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The battle harks back to the January 2025 Eaton fire which spread toxic ash over swaths of Altadena and Pasadena. — Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

The governor's allies point out Biggs is campaigning statewide for the first time and has never faced a serious political challenger for a broader swath of the state's electorate. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 July 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

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)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

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

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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