sweeper

noun

sweep·​er ˈswē-pər How to pronounce sweeper (audio)
1
: one that sweeps
2
: a lone back in soccer who plays between the line of the defenders and the goal

Examples of sweeper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This offseason, Singer is working on a sweeper and a variation of a split-changeup (a changeup thrown with a splitter grip) to add to his arsenal. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2024 Recapping the action across the Pac-12 … Theme of the week I: The sweepers The fourth weekend of conference play produced three sweeps, with all three coming at home, naturally. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2024 Whereas the modern-day sweeper is typically the middle central defender in a back three, Beckenbauer was one of two nominal center backs used as a libero behind a three-man line for Bayern and would pick his moment to step out and bolster the midfield. Steve Douglas, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 Villages also tend to be riddled with caste associations and societal rules on occupations that can keep people locked into jobs as carpenters, barbers, weavers, potters, or sweepers with few other options. Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024 The sleek handle is equally suited for righties and lefties, and there are no levers, sweepers or other moving parts to hamper the process or results. L.a. Times Food Staff, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023 Essential workers from shopkeepers to street sweepers to grocery baggers come across hundreds of people on a day-to-day basis. Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Feb. 2024 This model served as an effective sweeper with a simple design that feels durable and holds its form while sweeping. Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2024 The 1966 Chevrolet Caprice lowrider is owned by Tina L. Blankenship-Early, a street sweeper operator who lives in Los Angeles. A.j. Baime, WSJ, 29 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sweeper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweeper was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sweeper

Cite this Entry

“Sweeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweeper. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sweeper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!