Word
swabs
US/ˈswɑbz/
UK/swˈɒbz/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small cotton stick doctors use to take a sample from your nose, mouth, or a wound. They also use it to clean skin before an injection.
n. a small absorbent pad or cotton-tipped stick used to collect a sample from a surface or body cavity, or to clean and disinfect a wound.
Examples
“The nurse uses swabs to clean the wound.”
“The clinic keeps boxes of sterile swabs for throat tests and flu checks.”
“Investigators collected DNA with cotton swabs from the door handle, sealing each sample to prevent contamination.”
Examples
simple
“The nurse uses swabs to clean the wound.”
contextual
“The clinic keeps boxes of sterile swabs for throat tests and flu checks.”
complex
“Investigators collected DNA with cotton swabs from the door handle, sealing each sample to prevent contamination.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “swabs” in context.
Verb
01. analyse swabs
“Scientists analyse swabs to identify the infection.”
verb + noun
02. clean with swabs
“The nurse cleaned the cut with swabs before the injection.”
verb + prep + noun
03. collect swabs
“Staff collect swabs from patients every morning.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. cotton swabs
“Cotton swabs are kept in a sealed plastic container.”
adj + noun
05. nasal swabs
“The clinic uses nasal swabs to test for flu and COVID.”
adj + noun
06. sterile swabs
“Nurses always use sterile swabs to clean wounds.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. bag of swabs
“The nurse brought a small bag of swabs to the ward.”
noun + prep + noun
08. box of swabs
“We ordered a new box of swabs for the clinic.”
noun + prep + noun
09. packet of swabs
“She opened a fresh packet of swabs for the test.”
noun + prep + noun
10. clean skin with a swab
“The nurse cleaned the skin with a swab before the injection.”
11. collect swabs from patients
“Every morning, nurses collect swabs from patients in the ward.”
12. send swabs to the lab
“After the test, we send swabs to the lab for analysis.”
Real-World Examples
“They did, however, take regular swabs of the worktops, so we could see how long they remained germ-free.” “All of the swabs from people that Minayo’s teams have tested in the last two years have been negative.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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