sweep meaning and definition

SWEEP noun

Definition of sweep (noun)

1. a wide scope
   • "the sweep of the plains"
   • synonyms: expanse
2. someone who cleans soot from chimneys
   • synonyms: chimneysweep, chimneysweeper
3. winning all or all but one of the tricks in bridge
   • synonyms: slam
4. a long oar used in an open boat
   • synonyms: sweep oar
5. (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line
   • synonyms: end run
6. a movement in an arc
   • "a sweep of his arm"

SWEEP verb

Definition of sweep (verb)

1. sweep across or over
   • "Her long skirt brushed the floor"; "A gasp swept cross the audience"
   • synonyms: brush
2. move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions
   • "The diva swept into the room"; "Shreds of paper sailed through the air"; "The searchlights swept across the sky"
   • synonyms: sail
3. sweep with a broom or as if with a broom
   • "Sweep the crumbs off the table"; "Sweep under the bed"
   • synonyms: broom
4. force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action
   • "They were swept up by the events"; "don't drag me into this business"
   • synonyms: drag, drag in, embroil, sweep up, tangle
5. to cover or extend over an area or time period
   • "Rivers traverse the valley floor", "The parking lot spans 3 acres"; "The novel spans three centuries"
   • synonyms: cross, span, traverse
6. clean by sweeping
   • "Please sweep the floor"
7. win an overwhelming victory in or on
   • "Her new show dog swept all championships"
8. cover the entire range of
9. make a big sweeping gesture or movement
   • synonyms: swing, swing out