sweep

1 of 2

verb

ˈswēp 

swept ˈswept  ; sweeping

transitive verb

1

a

: to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush

swept the crumbs from the table

b

: to destroy completely : wipe out

—usually used with away

… everything she cherished, might be swept away overnight …

—Louis Bromfield

c

: to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action

swept the books off the desk

d

: to remove from sight or consideration

the problem can't be swept under the rug

e

: to drive or carry along with irresistible force

a wave of protest that swept the opposition into office

2

a

: to clean with or as if with a broom or brush

b

: to clear by repeated and forcible action

c

: to move across or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly

… fire swept the business district …

—Amer. Guide Series: Md.

d

: to win an overwhelming victory in or on

sweep the elections

e

: to win all the games or contests of

sweep a double-header

sweep a series

3

: to touch in passing with a swift continuous movement

4

: to trace or describe the locus or extent of (something, such as a line, circle, or angle)

5

: to cover the entire range of

his eyes swept the horizon

intransitive verb

1

a

: to clean a surface with or as if with a broom

b

: to move swiftly, forcefully, or devastatingly

the wind swept through the treetops

2

: to go with stately or sweeping movements

proudly swept into the room

3

: to move or extend in a wide curve or range

see also:

sweep one off one's feet sweep the board

sweep

2 of 2

noun

1

: something that sweeps or works with a sweeping motion: such as

a

: a long pole or timber pivoted on a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well

b

: a triangular cultivator blade that cuts off weeds under the soil surface

c

: a windmill sail

2

a

: an instance of sweeping

especially : a clearing out or away with or as if with a broom

b

: the removal from the table in one play in casino of all the cards by pairing or combining

c

: an overwhelming victory

d

: a winning of all the contests or prizes in a competition

e

: a wide-ranging search of an area (as by police)

3

a

: a movement of great range and force

b

: a curving or circular course or line

c

: the compass of a sweeping movement : scope

d

: a broad unbroken area or extent

a sweep of wildflowers

e

: an end run in football in which one or more linemen pull back and run interference for the ballcarrier

4

: chimney sweep

5

: sweepstakes

6

: obliquity with respect to a reference line

sweep of an airplane wing

especially : sweepback

7

sweeps plural : a television ratings period during which surveys are taken to determine advertising rates

Illustration of sweep

• sweep 1a

Synonyms of sweep

Verb

• flow
• drift
• glide
• brush
• sail

Noun

• scope
• confines
• extent
• realm
• range
• reach

Choose the Right Synonym for sweep

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control).

range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Examples of sweep in a Sentence

Verb

He swept the dirt off the driveway.

He swept the crumbs from the table.

I need to sweep the kitchen.

Are you finished sweeping the porch?

A storm swept across the plains.

Fires swept through the forest.

She proudly swept into the room.

The limo swept up to the door.

He swept the curtains aside.

She swept the books off the desk.

Noun

Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are 34 outstanding bills, including sweeping social media restrictions for minors, a revival of language closing the marijuana loophole and legislation to scrap low-earning college degrees. —Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 28 Feb. 2026

From the living rooms, views sweep across Tokyo Bay to the east and out over the city's sprawl to the south and west, with Tokyo Tower front and center and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji in the distance. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026

Noun

The mayor subsequently announced bringing back homeless encampments sweeps, in a reversal of his previous anti-sweep stance. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026

The sweep of American history suggests the ideal of equality has staying power, even in periods of wrenching strife. —Kenji Yoshino, Time, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English swepen; akin to Old English swāpan to sweep, Old High German sweifen to wander

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sweep

• chimney sweep
• clean sweep
• power sweep
• sweep aside
• sweep away
• sweep hand
• sweep out
• sweep-second hand
• sweep (someone) off his/her feet
• sweep (something) under the carpet
• sweep (something) under the rug
• sweep up

Rhymes for sweep

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep
• sheep

Kids Definition

sweep

1 of 2 verb

ˈswēp 

swept ˈswept  ; sweeping

1

a

: to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush

sweep the dirt off the rug

b

: to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action

swept the books off the desk

c

: to drive or carry along with great force

2

a

: to clean with or as if with a broom or brush

sweep the floor

b

: to move across or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly

a storm swept across the plains

c

: to win all of

the presidential candidate swept the western states

3

: to move with stately or sweeping movements

swept into the room

4

: to move or extend in a wide curve or range

sweeper noun

sweep

2 of 2 noun

1

: a long movable pole on a post that is used to raise and lower a bucket (as in a well)

2

a

: an act or instance of sweeping

b

: a decisive victory

c

: a winning of all the contests

3

a

: a movement of great range and force

b

: a curving or circular course or line

c

: range entry 1 sense 6a, scope

outside the sweep of our vision

4

: chimney sweep

5

: sweepstakes