verb
sweep
sweep
verb
1
To clean a surface by brushing dirt or debris away, usually with a broom.
"She swept the kitchen floor after dinner."
"He swept the leaves off the porch steps."
2
To move quickly and smoothly across an area.
"A cold front swept through the region overnight."
3
To win every game in a series or competition without a single loss.
"The team swept the finals in four straight games."
4
To search an area thoroughly and systematically.
"Police swept the building for the missing suspect."
How to Use Sweep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo clean with broad brushing strokes, to move quickly across something, or to win every game in a series.
Common pairings
sweep the floor
sweep the series
sweep through
Word Forms
swept past tense, sweeps singular
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Etymology
From Middle English swepen, tracing back through Old Germanic roots related to a swinging or striking motion — the same family as "swoop."