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REFERENCE

sweep

v. · n.
US //ˈswip// UK //swˈiːp// sweep
Irregular verb past swept past participle swept
  1. 1 to clean with a broom (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to clean a floor or surface using a broom or brush.

    to clear or clean a surface by means of a stroking motion with a broom or brush.

    Example

    I need to sweep the kitchen floor because there is flour everywhere.

    Example

    The janitor would sweep the hallways every evening after the students had left the building.

    Usage

    Often used with 'up' to describe collecting the dirt into a pile.
  2. 2 to move in a curve (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to move quickly or smoothly in a wide, curved shape.

    to move through a horizontal arc or similar long, continuous stroke.

    Example

    The searchlight started to sweep across the dark water looking for the boat.

    Example

    The eagle began to sweep over the valley in great circles, searching for movement in the grass below.
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  1. 3 to win everything (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    to win every game or prize in a competition or election.

    to win a series or election without losing or drawing any individual contest.

    Example

    The team managed to sweep the three-game series against their rivals.

    Example

    Political analysts predict that the opposition party might sweep the local elections if turnout remains high.

    Usage

    Transitive; usually takes the competition or the series as the direct object.
  2. 4 to search an area (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Military

    to search a place carefully and completely.

    to search a location methodically, often for hidden objects or people.

    Example

    The police had to sweep the building before the president arrived.

    Example

    Security teams conducted a technical sweep of the conference room to ensure no listening devices had been planted.
  3. 5 a wide area or curve (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    a long, curved stretch of something, like a road or a beach.

    a wide, continuous expanse or a long, curved line of land or water.

    Example

    From the top of the hill, you can see the whole sweep of the bay.

    Example

    The grand staircase rose in a magnificent sweep toward the upper gallery of the mansion.
  4. 6 a person who cleans chimneys (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person whose job is to clean the soot out of chimneys.

    a person employed to clean soot from chimneys; often used as a shortened form of 'chimney sweep'.

    Example

    The sweep arrived with his long brushes to clean the fireplace.

    Example

    Historically, a young sweep would be sent up narrow flues to clear the dangerous accumulation of soot.
    • chimney sweep
  5. 7 wing angle (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Aviation

    the angle at which an airplane's wings point backward.

    the degree to which an aircraft's wings are angled relative to the fuselage.

    Example

    The fighter jet has a variable sweep to help it fly at different speeds.

    Example

    Engineers adjusted the wing sweep to reduce drag during supersonic flight tests.

Origin

From Middle English swepen, from Proto-West Germanic swaipijan (unattested in Old English), from Proto-Germanic swaipijaną. Cognate with Early Modern West Frisian swiepe (“whip, cleanse, sweep”), from Old Frisian swēpa, suepa (“sweep”). More distantly related to Old Norse sveipa (whence Swedish svepa). See also swoop.

Word family
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