swamp

1 of 2

noun

ˈswämp How to pronounce swamp (audio)
ˈswȯmp
1
: a wetland often partially or intermittently covered with water
especially : one dominated by woody vegetation
2
: a tract of swamp
3
: a difficult or troublesome situation or subject
swamp adjective

swamp

2 of 2

verb

swamped; swamping; swamps

transitive verb

1
a
: to fill with or as if with water : inundate, submerge
b
: to overwhelm numerically or by an excess of something : flood
swamped with work
2
: to open by removing underbrush and debris

intransitive verb

: to become submerged

Examples of swamp in a Sentence

Noun Alligators live in the lowland swamps. be careful in the swamp, because alligators sometimes lurk there Verb The sea level rose and swamped the coastal villages. The boat sank after it was swamped by waves.
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.
Noun
Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk ... think about it ... Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024 The satellite rolled into a swamp, whereupon it was nicknamed Kaputnik. Rebecca Coffey, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
The presidential election also swamped airwaves that might otherwise have been used to remind people about sign-ups. Maya Goldman, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024 But as swamped as Gunn was with Superman and various other tasks, Lorey is grateful that the filmmaker and studio co-chair was still able to be hands-on with Creature Commandos, versus redirecting him to other parties. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for swamp 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps alteration of Middle English sompe, from Middle Dutch somp morass; akin to Middle High German sumpf marsh, Greek somphos spongy

First Known Use

Noun

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1784, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of swamp was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near swamp

Cite this Entry

“Swamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swamp. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

swamp

1 of 2 noun
ˈswämp How to pronounce swamp (audio)
ˈswȯmp
: wet spongy land often partly covered with water

swamp

2 of 2 verb
1
: to fill or become filled with or as if with water
2
: overwhelm sense 2
was swamped with work

More from Merriam-Webster on swamp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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