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
• deep
• expansive
• extended
• extensive
• far-flung
• far-reaching
• rangy
• wide
• wide-ranging
• widespread

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

Vacuuming and sweeping should comprise 80 percent of your hardwood floor cleaning routine, rather than wet mopping. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2024

Clean skin made way for the D22 Tonic to tone and balance, the nutrient-rich Mega Serum eye cream, and a sweeping of the Cream Supreme Moisturizer—all massaged into skin with a sculpting facial massage to boost circulation and de-puff. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2024

Adjective

Best show format: Roksanda delivered a truly unforgettable experience at Space House, with sweeping views of London. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024

Still, none of those measures are as sweeping as the The Hague’s. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 16 Sep. 2024

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

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