swathe

1 of 2

noun

ˈswät͟h

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h ˈswäth

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

Synonyms of swathe

: a band used in swathing

: an enveloping medium

swathe

2 of 2

verb

ˈswät͟h

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

swathed; swathing

transitive verb

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

: envelop

a mountain swathed by clouds

Examples of swathe in a Sentence

Verb The nurse swathed the wounded soldier's leg in bandages. Her neck was swathed in jewels.

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.

Verb

Expect each of these to be swathed in pageantry—but not much more than that. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 May 2026 The interiors are swathed in dark to light grays, all with a hit of neon light—one green, one red—to complete the vibe. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026 My 485-square-foot Junior Suite was swathed in rich red velvet and hues of chrome and cream. — Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026 Sega Bodega) have created with their Arabic shoegaze duo is one swathed in chic esotericism and slow-burning eros. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for swathe

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English *swæth; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

Verb

Middle English, from Old English swathian

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of swathe was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

swathboard

swathe

swather

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Swathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swathe. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

swathe

1 of 2 verb

ˈswät͟h

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

swathed; swathing

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

: envelop

swathe

2 of 2 noun

ˈswät͟h

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h,

ˈswäth,

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

: a band used in swathing

swathe

noun

verb

Synonyms of swathe

Examples of swathe in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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