# broom

/ˈbɹum/ (US) · /bɹˈuːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/broom
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. sweeping tool

noun · CEFR A2

a brush with a long handle that you use to clean the floor.

For teachers: a domestic cleaning implement consisting of stiff fibers or bristles attached to a long handle, used for sweeping.

- He grabbed a broom to sweep up the broken glass from the kitchen floor.
- The janitor used a heavy-duty industrial broom to clear the debris from the warehouse floor before the morning shift began.

### 2. a wild shrub

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of wild bush with thin branches and bright yellow flowers.

For teachers: any of several shrubs in the family Fabaceae, characterized by long, slender branches and typically yellow flowers.

- The hillside was covered in bright yellow broom during the spring.
- The common broom, Cytisus scoparius, is often found in sandy soils and is known for its prolific yellow blooms in late spring.

### 3. curling equipment

noun · CEFR B2

a special brush used in the sport of curling to sweep the ice.

For teachers: an implement used by players in the sport of curling to sweep the ice in front of a moving stone.

- The curling team used their brooms to help the stone reach the target.
- Effective sweeping with the broom can momentarily melt the ice surface, reducing friction and allowing the curling stone to travel further.

### 4. to sweep

verb · CEFR B1

to clean a surface using a broom.

For teachers: to sweep or clean a surface using a broom or similar implement.

- She decided to broom the porch while the weather was still nice.
- The workers were instructed to broom the concrete surface to ensure it was free of dust before applying the sealant.

### 5. to remove someone

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Slang

to suddenly remove someone from your life or job.

For teachers: to dismiss or remove someone abruptly, such as firing an employee or ending a relationship.

- After the scandal, the company decided to broom the entire management team.
- The new CEO intended to broom any staff members who were not fully aligned with the revised corporate strategy.

## Examples

- She uses a broom to sweep the kitchen floor.
- He grabbed the broom and quickly swept the spilled rice into a pile.
- The old straw broom, worn thin by years of daily use, still managed to gather the autumn leaves with surprising efficiency.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.