: any of numerous small widely distributed oscine birds (family Hirundinidae, the swallow family) that have a short bill, long pointed wings, and often a deeply forked tail and that feed on insects caught on the wing
2
: any of several birds that superficially resemble swallows
Verb
He swallowed the grape whole.
Chew your food well before you swallow.
The boss said, “Come in.” I swallowed hard and walked in.
Her story is pretty hard to swallow.
I can usually take criticism, but this is more than I can swallow. Noun (1)
drank the cool refreshing water in two swallows and held out her cup for more
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Verb
Yet they are also haunted by echoes from the past, especially from the world war that devastated their continent only 80 years ago, when leading European powers underestimated Adolf Hitler’s readiness to swallow up neighboring states by force of arms.—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025 The cost of eggs, though, is getting hard to swallow.—David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
The Swallows Day Parade celebrates the return of the swallows, a small species of bird, to the San Juan Capistrano Mission.—Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 23 Feb. 2025 Jolie opted for a three-piece suit from Dolce & Gabbana, wearing a black blazer over a partially unbuttoned waistcoat, which showed off the swallow tattoo on her breastbone, as well as a sliver of midriff.—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for swallow
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English swalowen, from Old English swelgan; akin to Old High German swelgan to swallow
Noun (2)
Middle English swalowe, from Old English swealwe; akin to Old High German swalawa swallow
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