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

In the bedrooms, mosquito nets swathed four-poster beds. —Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025

In terms of pure design, the monochromatic swoop of fabric (wool, cashmere, or some blend of the two) swathed around your neck, that coordinates perfectly with your outerwear, is a siren call to streamlined style lovers who like their minimalism with a little wink. —Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2025

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

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