swath

noun

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

Examples of swath in a Sentence

An aerial view of the countryside shows wide swathes of green.

He cut a swath through the field with his scythe.

Recent Examples on the Web

The rise of Kalshi and Polymarket, along with a growing number of new prediction market platforms, means that betting has become accessible to a larger swath of Americans. —Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026

Though the garden in Durham, North Carolina never fully closed down, a large swath of the 55-acre property hid behind construction fences for a year. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026

But in a harbinger of a far more serious threat — consolidation — then-20th Century Fox movie head Stacey Snider brought many to tears when addressing the looming sale of a large swath of Rupert Murdoch’s media and entertainment empire, including the film studio, to Disney. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026

More than two inches appears to have fallen in a swath from Leavenworth County into Johnson County and then east into Jackson County, based on rainfall data reported to the National Weather Service. —Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

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