broom

1 of 2

noun

1
: any of various leguminous shrubs (especially genera Cytisus and Genista) with long slender branches, small leaves, and usually showy yellow flowers
especially : scotch broom
2
: a bundle of firm stiff twigs or fibers bound together on a long handle especially for sweeping

broom

2 of 2

verb

broomed; brooming; brooms

transitive verb

1
: to sweep with or as if with a broom
2
: to finish (something, such as a concrete surface) by means of a broom

Examples of broom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Use a broom or vacuum cleaner with the rotating beater bar turned off (suction and stationary brush only). Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025 Dust off your spell books, grab your brooms and ready your wands, because a magical new adventure is coming to Greater Cincinnati this fall. Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
If the horns are heavily broomed and look 1 ½ to two inches thick at the tip, the ram is a trophy. Tim Kelly, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025 So their top talent man, David Stearns — one of the league’s better team-builders — traded for Giants reliever Tyler Rogers and Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley on Wednesday while the Padres were brooming away his team. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for broom

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English brōm; akin to Old High German brāmo bramble

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of broom was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Broom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broom. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

broom

noun
ˈbrüm,
ˈbru̇m
1
: a plant of the legume family that has long slender branches along which grow many drooping yellow flowers
2
: a brush that has a long handle and is used for sweeping

Medical Definition

broom

noun
: any of various leguminous shrubs (especially genera Cytisus and Genista) with long slender branches, upright growth, small leaves, and usually showy yellow flowers
especially : scotch broom see broom top

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