swath

noun

ˈswäth 

ˈswȯth

variants or swathe

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h 

1

a

: a row of cut grain or grass left by a scythe or mowing machine

b

: the sweep of a scythe or a machine in mowing or the path cut in one course

2

: a long broad strip or belt

3

: a stroke of or as if of a scythe

4

: a space devastated as if by a scythe

Examples of swath in a Sentence

An aerial view of the countryside shows wide swathes of green.

He cut a swath through the field with his scythe.

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, large swaths of women aren’t trying to or able to get pregnant. —Pamela Paul, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

It could well be forced into a surrender involving Putin annexing huge swaths of its territory, as well as promising never to join NATO. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024

North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada add the Sun Belt swath of the presidential battleground map. —Bill Barrow, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024

The county, which has transitioned in recent decades from a solidly Republican swath to a more political diverse region, has its share of election skeptics. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English swæth footstep, trace; akin to Middle High German swade swath

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

swath

noun

ˈswäth 

ˈswȯth

variants or swathe

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

1

a

: the sweep of a scythe or machine in mowing or the path cut in one course

b

: a row of cut grain or grass

2

: a long broad strip or belt

3

: a space destroyed as if by a mowing machine