sweeping

1 of 2

noun

sweep·​ing ˈswē-piŋ 

1

: the act or action of one that sweeps

gave the room a good sweeping

2

sweepings plural : things collected by sweeping : refuse

sweeping

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area

b

: having a curving line or form

2

a

: extensive

sweeping reforms

b

: marked by wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion

sweeping generalities

sweepingly adverb

sweepingness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• broad
• extensive
• wide
• deep
• expansive
• extended

Examples of sweeping in a Sentence

Noun

The porch needs a good sweeping.

Adjective

a sweeping view of the valley

He dismissed the idea with a sweeping motion of his arm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Conversely, people who live in an arid climate might find that dust builds up quickly, especially around doorways and windows, which are common entry points for outside dirt, requiring more frequent sweeping. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025

Regularly vacuuming and sweeping are foundational in hardwood care. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025

Adjective

Restaurant Mola Mola At the southern tip of Ishigaki inside Ishigaki Seaside Hotel, Mola Mola offers sweeping ocean views and an impressive buffet. —Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Crucially, however, the six commitments aren’t so sweeping as to let any ideological camel peek its nose under the tent. —Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sweeping

• sweeping victory

Rhymes for sweeping

• beeping
• creeping
• heaping
• keeping
• leaping
• peeping
• reaping
• seeping
• sleeping
• steeping
• weeping
• beekeeping

Kids Definition

sweeping

1 of 2 noun

sweep·​ing

1

: the act or action of one that sweeps

2

plural : things collected by sweeping

sweeping

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area

b

: having a curving line or form

2

: broad sense 5

sweeping reforms

sweeping generalizations

sweepingly

ˈswē-piŋ-lē

adverb