swale

noun

: a low-lying or depressed and often wet stretch of land
also : a shallow depression on a golf course

Examples of swale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The world looks clean and new and fresh outside with tall purple irises blanketing the swales and the fringes of the shore and azaleas like banks of rose flames along the roadsides and the fresh new lime tongues of cottonwood leaves fluttering like a cool green stream at the edges of the clearings. Robert Finch june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025 That included building a short block wall to separate the deck from the yard — and prevent skunks, possums and other critters from creeping under the deck — build an open fence to surround the property, and add a swale to retain rainwater. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 Jaime spent time watching how the water flowed down to the street to figure out how to lay out the swale. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 The estate’s vineyard irrigation is spring-fed, and several environmental features were added, including solar power, water-capture swales and fire-suppression systems. Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swale

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swale was in 1584

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Cite this Entry

“Swale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swale. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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