plural swabs
1
: a small piece of soft material sometimes on the end of a small stick that is used for applying medicine, cleaning a wound, etc.
Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to disinfect the area.
2
: a small amount of material taken with a swab as a sample from a person's body
The doctor took a throat swab and sent it to the lab.
swabs; swabbed; swabbing
1
: to wipe or clean (something, such as a wound) with a swab
The nurse swabbed the cut with a disinfectant.
2
: mop entry 2 sense 1
sailors swabbing the decks
Cite this Entry
“Swab.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/swab. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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