swathe

1 of 2

noun

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswäth,

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

1

: a band used in swathing

2

: an enveloping medium

swathe

2 of 2

verb

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

swathed; swathing

transitive verb

1

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

2

: envelop

a mountain swathed by clouds

Synonyms

Verb

• bosom
• bower
• circumfuse
• cocoon
• embosom
• embower
• embrace
• enclose
• inclose
• encompass
• enfold
• enshroud
• enswathe
• envelop
• enwrap
• invest
• involve
• lap
• mantle
• muffle
• shroud
• veil
• wrap

Examples of swathe in a Sentence

Verb

The nurse swathed the wounded soldier's leg in bandages.

Her neck was swathed in jewels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While most of the main development region of the Atlantic is swathed in storm-dampening Saharan dust this week, the tropical wave in question is swirling in a pocket that doesn’t have much of that hot, dry dust. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 June 2024

At another end of the pool, Nickey and Campbell built a cedar pergola swathed in a glorious bank of wisteria. —Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2024

Toranaga is swathed in shimmering copper, gold, chocolate and burgundy. —Valli Herman, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2024

For spring, a resort vibe showed in the color palette that was swathed in myriad nuances of blue and buttery white and the chic ease of knitwear and outerwear pieces that could be easily combined with one another. —Martino Carrera, WWD, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English *swæth; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

Verb

Middle English, from Old English swathian

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

swathe

1 of 2 verb

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

swathed; swathing

1

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

2

: envelop

swathe

2 of 2 noun

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h,

ˈswäth,

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

: a band used in swathing