sweeping

1 of 2

noun

sweep·​ing ˈswē-piŋ How to pronounce sweeping (audio)
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 2

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

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
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
My mother-in-law spent days cleaning and sweeping before Passover. Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025 Viewers also see the sealing of the deceased pope’s room and the destruction of his ring, the oaths taken by the cardinals before voting, and the sweeping of the Sistine Chapel for listening devices, all of which are accurate depictions, per CNN. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
While the challenges of transformation may feel daunting, supporting your people through change doesn’t always require sweeping initiatives or expensive programs. Rahul Karan Sharma, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 Some of those projects were also sweeping, to the point of quixotic -- even for the deepest-pocketed entrepreneur. Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweeping

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweeping was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sweeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweeping. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sweeping

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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