sweep
sweep Lexical Profile
sweep Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To clean an area by brushing away dirt or litter.
"He asked the children to sweep the driveway after they finished raking the autumn leaves."
To move swiftly and smoothly, often in a continuous, forceful curve.
"The eagle was seen to sweep down from the sky to catch a fish from the lake."
To search an area comprehensively and systematically for something or someone.
"Local police units were dispatched to sweep the neighborhood for the missing dog."
• noun
An act of cleaning or clearing an area with a brush or broom.
"She gave the kitchen floor a quick sweep before the dinner guests arrived."
A long, swift, curving movement or stroke.
"With a single sweep of his hand, he cleared all the papers from the desk."
A comprehensive and systematic search or survey of a specific area.
"The security team conducted a final sweep of the building to ensure it was entirely empty."
• Rhymes for sweep
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'swāpan', meaning to sweep, drive, or swing, from Proto-Germanic '*swaipanan'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.