sweep

Definitions

1. 1intransitive verb

   To pass a broom across (a surface) so as to remove loose dirt, dust, etc.; to brush, or rub over, with a broom for the purpose of cleaning; as, to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney. Used also figuratively.

2. 2intransitive verb

   To drive or carry along or off with a broom or a brush, or as if with a broom; to remove by, or as if by, brushing; as, to sweep dirt from a floor; the wind sweeps the snow from the hills; a freshet sweeps away a dam, timber, or rubbish; a pestilence sweeps off multitudes.

3. 3intransitive verb

   To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.

4. 4intransitive verb

   To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion.

5. 5intransitive verb

   To strike with a long stroke.

6. 6intransitive verb

   To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the bottom of a river with a net.

7. 7intransitive verb

   To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a telescope.

8. 8intransitive verb

   To clean rooms, yards, etc., or to clear away dust, dirt, litter, etc., with a broom, brush, or the like.

9. 9intransitive verb

   To brush swiftly over the surface of anything; to pass with switness and force, as if brushing the surface of anything; to move in a stately manner; as, the wind sweeps across the plain; a woman sweeps through a drawing-room.

10. 10intransitive verb

    To pass over anything comprehensively; to range through with rapidity; as, his eye sweeps through space.

11. 11noun

    The act of sweeping.

12. 12noun

    The compass or range of a stroke; as, a long sweep.

13. 13noun

    The compass of any turning body or of any motion; as, the sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye.

14. 14noun

    The compass of anything flowing or brushing; as, the flood carried away everything within its sweep.

15. 15noun

    Violent and general destruction; as, the sweep of an epidemic disease.

16. 16noun

    Direction and extent of any motion not rectlinear; as, the sweep of a compass.

17. 17noun

    Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, or the like, away from a rectlinear line.

18. 18noun

    One who sweeps; a sweeper; specifically, a chimney sweeper.

19. 19noun

    A movable templet for making molds, in loam molding.

20. 20noun

    The mold of a ship when she begins to curve in at the rungheads; any part of a ship shaped in a segment of a circle.

21. 21noun

    A large oar used in small vessels, partly to propel them and partly to steer them.

22. 22noun

    The almond furnace.

23. 23noun

    A long pole, or piece of timber, moved on a horizontal fulcrum fixed to a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well for drawing water.

24. 24noun

    In the game of casino, a pairing or combining of all the cards on the board, and so removing them all; in whist, the winning of all the tricks (thirteen) in a hand; a slam.

25. 25noun

    The sweeping of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc.

26. 26noun

    a movement in an arc

    "a sweep of his arm"

27. 27noun

    (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line

28. 28noun

    a long oar used in an open boat

29. 29noun

    a wide scope

    "the sweep of the plains"

    Synonyms

    expanse
30. 30noun

    winning all or all but one of the tricks in bridge

    Synonyms

    slam
31. 31noun

    someone who cleans soot from chimneys

32. 32verb

    win an overwhelming victory in or on

    "Her new show dog swept all championships"

33. 33verb

    sweep with a broom or as if with a broom

    "Sweep the crumbs off the table"

    "Sweep under the bed"

    Synonyms

    broom
34. 34verb

    clean by sweeping

    "Please sweep the floor"

35. 35verb

    make a big sweeping gesture or movement

    Synonyms

    swing
36. 36verb

    move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions

    "The diva swept into the room"

    "Shreds of paper sailed through the air"

    Synonyms

    sail
37. 37verb

    sweep across or over

    "Her long skirt brushed the floor"

    "A gasp swept cross the audience"

    Synonyms

    brush
38. 38verb

    force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action

    "They were swept up by the events"

    "don't drag me into this business"

    Synonyms

    dragembroiltangle
39. 39verb

    to cover or extend over an area or time period, "The parking lot spans 3 acres"

    "Rivers traverse the valley floor"

    "The novel spans three centuries"

    Synonyms

    crossspantraverse
40. 40verb

    cover the entire range of