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

Expect a large swath of blue in Mountain America Stadium in a game that will partially decide the fate of this year's conference championship. —Matthew Self, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024

For Owens, helping his superstar cousin introduce fans to a larger swath of Parton (and Owens) musical history is a calling. —Stephen L. Betts, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024

Trump may be one of few salespeople who can sell the G-20’s potential to broad swaths of the United States. —Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024

Curry nearly matched him with 11, but the Warriors’ defense that swarmed in the first half suddenly surrendered 41 points — and 10 3-pointers and a swath of second-chance scores. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 6 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