swath

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈswäth How to pronounce swath (audio)
ˈswȯth
variants or swathe
ˈswät͟h How to pronounce swath (audio)
ˈswȯt͟h, 
ˈswāt͟h How to pronounce swath (audio)
Synonyms of swath
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

swath

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈswät͟h How to pronounce swath (audio) ˈswäth How to pronounce swath (audio)
ˈswȯt͟h, 
ˈswȯth

variant of swathe entry 1

1
: a band used in swathing
2
: an enveloping medium

Examples of swath in a Sentence

Noun (1) 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Bagpipes were trotted out, ceilidhs given, drams of whisky poured, and, rather more permanently, heathered swaths of Caledonia repurposed as sporting estates. — Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Ken Paxton’s edge in rural Texas For years, Republicans have dominated in rural swaths of the state, where conservative Christian and small-government politics have carried the day. — Eleanor Dearman updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026 Hubble excels at producing razor-sharp images of individual objects, Webb peers farther back into cosmic history than any telescope before it, and Roman will survey enormous swaths of the sky to reveal how those objects fit into the wider universe. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swath

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of swath was in the 14th century

Rhymes for swath

See All Rhymes for swath

Browse Nearby Words

swatch
swath
swathboard
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swath. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

swath

noun
ˈswäth How to pronounce swath (audio)
ˈswȯth
variants or swathe
ˈswät͟h How to pronounce swath (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on swath

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swath

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