broom

1 of 2

noun

ˈbrüm  ˈbru̇m 

1

: any of various leguminous shrubs (especially genera Cytisus and Genista) with long slender branches, small leaves, and usually showy yellow flowers

especially : scotch broom

2

: a bundle of firm stiff twigs or fibers bound together on a long handle especially for sweeping

broom

2 of 2

verb

broomed; brooming; brooms

transitive verb

1

: to sweep with or as if with a broom

2

: to finish (something, such as a concrete surface) by means of a broom

Examples of broom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Use a broom or a vacuum cleaner with a special setting designed for hardwood floors. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025

From brooms and mops to wooden dress-up sets with magnets to dollhouses and animal playsets, Melissa & Doug have lots of choices of pretend play toys. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025

Verb

So their top talent man, David Stearns — one of the league’s better team-builders — traded for Giants reliever Tyler Rogers and Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley on Wednesday while the Padres were brooming away his team. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025

The problem is, as soon as the cops arrest the savages, the Democrats in the courts or the jails broom them out, released on $25 or $50 bail. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English brōm; akin to Old High German brāmo bramble

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing broom

• push broom
• Scotch broom
• whisk broom

Rhymes for broom

• blume
• boom
• doom
• flume
• fume
• gloom
• glume
• groom
• loom
• plume
• rheum
• room

Kids Definition

broom

noun

ˈbrüm,

ˈbru̇m

1

: a plant of the legume family that has long slender branches along which grow many drooping yellow flowers

2

: a brush that has a long handle and is used for sweeping

Medical Definition

broom

noun

ˈbrüm  ˈbru̇m 

: any of various leguminous shrubs (especially genera Cytisus and Genista) with long slender branches, upright growth, small leaves, and usually showy yellow flowers

especially : scotch broom see broom top