sweeping

1 of 3

noun

sweep·​ing ˈswē-piŋ 

1

: the act or action of one that sweeps

gave the room a good sweeping

2

sweepings plural : things collected by sweeping : refuse

sweeping

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area

b

: having a curving line or form

2

a

: extensive

sweeping reforms

b

: marked by wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion

sweeping generalities

sweepingly adverb

sweepingness noun

sweeping

3 of 3

present participle of sweep entry 1

Synonyms of sweeping

Adjective

• broad
• extensive
• wide
• deep
• expansive
• extended

Examples of sweeping in a Sentence

Noun

The porch needs a good sweeping.

Adjective

a sweeping view of the valley

He dismissed the idea with a sweeping motion of his arm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That includes using rugs in high-traffic areas, frequent sweeping, and using the right floor cleaners. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026

Thirty minutes of rhythmic sweeping has an incredibly reliable effect. — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 30 July 2026

Adjective

For beauty, Tyla went with a sweeping straight hairstyle with cornrows and modeled a pink manicure. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026

The Iranian government has been forced to implement sweeping cost-cutting measures, which were reflected in Pezeshkian’s bare-bones visit. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sweeping

• sweeping victory

Rhymes for sweeping

• beeping
• creeping
• heaping
• keeping
• leaping
• peeping
• reaping
• seeping
• sleeping
• steeping
• weeping
• beekeeping

Kids Definition

sweeping

1 of 2 noun

sweep·​ing

1

: the act or action of one that sweeps

2

plural : things collected by sweeping

sweeping

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area

b

: having a curving line or form

2

: broad sense 5

sweeping reforms

sweeping generalizations

sweepingly

ˈswē-piŋ-lē

adverb