sweeper

noun

sweep·​er ˈswē-pər How to pronounce sweeper (audio)
1
: one that sweeps
2
: a lone back in soccer who plays between the line of the defenders and the goal

Examples of sweeper in a Sentence

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.
Schreiber changed his grip on the sweeper. — Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026 Street sweepers and garbage trucks crawled through roads fans had packed hours earlier. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026 He was hit by a 79 mph sweeper from Manaea. — ABC News, 18 June 2026 Besides the conditions being not so great, like Tamia mentioned, there was a specific incident where a floor sweeper broke. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweeper

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweeper was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing sweeper

Rhymes for sweeper

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Browse Nearby Words

sweepdom
sweeper
sweepforward
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on sweeper

Nglish: Translation of sweeper for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sweeper

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