# swath

/ˈswɑθ/ (US) · /swˈɒθ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swath
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a large area of land or sea that is covered by something, like a storm or a ship's wake. It can also describe a wide strip of something, like a path or a cut of grass.

For teachers: a wide strip or area of land, sea, or sky that is covered or affected by a specific event or object. Often used in nautical or agricultural contexts to describe the path of a vessel or the extent of a natural phenomenon.

## Examples

- The storm left a wide swath of destruction across the coast.
- The ship's wake created a long, white swath across the dark blue surface of the ocean.
- The satellite imagery revealed a narrow swath of cleared land that suggested the presence of a hidden military installation deep within the forest.

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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.