swath

noun

ˈswäth 

ˈswȯth

variants or swathe

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h 

1

a

: a row of cut grain or grass left by a scythe or mowing machine

b

: the sweep of a scythe or a machine in mowing or the path cut in one course

2

: a long broad strip or belt

3

: a stroke of or as if of a scythe

4

: a space devastated as if by a scythe

Examples of swath in a Sentence

An aerial view of the countryside shows wide swathes of green.

He cut a swath through the field with his scythe.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vox contributor Cat Willet explored the potential of rewilding — a movement that encompasses efforts on wide swaths of landscape and can include things like returning apex predators like grizzly bears back to an ecosystem. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 28 Dec. 2024

In real life, the person convicted of financial fraud and fetishized for cutting a sleazy swath through Vice-era Brooklyn was Kari Ferrell. —New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024

In addition to more than 4,000 people killed in Lebanon by attacks Israel says were aimed at Hezbollah, the war leveled huge swaths of the country. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024

Nudity in movies is limited to the following swaths of skin: side, top, or nexus of breast; genitals under duvet; ass walking away from shower (preferably in a locker room). —Grace Henes, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English swæth footstep, trace; akin to Middle High German swade swath

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

swath

noun

ˈswäth 

ˈswȯth

variants or swathe

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

1

a

: the sweep of a scythe or machine in mowing or the path cut in one course

b

: a row of cut grain or grass

2

: a long broad strip or belt

3

: a space destroyed as if by a mowing machine