Sweep
English Meaning
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.
- To clean or clear, as of dirt, with or as if with a broom or brush: sweep a chimney.
- To clear away with or as if with a broom or brush: swept snow from the steps.
- To clear (a path or space) with or as if with a broom.
- To search thoroughly: The counselors swept the dormitory during the fire drill.
- Electronics To search for and remove (eavesdropping devices) from a place: swept the room for bugs.
- To touch or brush lightly, as with a trailing garment: willow branches sweeping the ground.
- To pass over or through a surface or medium with a continuous movement: He swept the sponge over the tile. The conductor swept her baton through the air.
- To clear, drive, or convey with relentless force: The flood waters swept away everything in their path.
- To wipe out at a single stroke. Often used with away: The incident in effect swept away all her dreams.
- To remove or carry off with a swift brushing motion: swept the cards off the table; swept the child into his arms.
- To move across or through swiftly or with great intensity: News of the lunar landing swept the country.
- To pass quickly across, as when searching: His gaze swept the horizon.
- To drag the bottom of (a body of water).
- To win all games in (a series) or stages of (a contest): swept the World Series.
- To win overwhelmingly in: The opposition party swept the election.
- To clean or clear a surface with or as if with a broom or brush.
- Electronics To search for and remove eavesdropping devices.
- To move swiftly with strong, steady force: The wind swept over the plain.
- To move swiftly in a lofty manner, as if in a trailing robe: She swept by in silence.
- To trail, as a long garment.
- To extend gracefully, especially in a long curve: The hills sweep down to the sea.
- To extend in a wide range: Searchlights swept across the sky.
- A clearing out or removal with or as if with a broom or brush.
- Electronics The act or an instance of searching for and removing eavesdropping devices, as in a room.
- A wide curving motion: a sweep of the arm.
- The range or scope encompassed by sweeping: the sweep of a lantern beam. See Synonyms at range.
- A broad reach or extent: a sweep of green lawn.
- A curve or contour: the sweep of her hair.
- Football An end run in which one or more linemen leave the line of scrimmage and block in advance of the ball carrier.
- One who sweeps, especially a chimney sweep.
- Sweepings. Often used in the plural.
- The winning of all stages of a game or contest.
- An overwhelming victory or success.
- Nautical A long oar used to propel a boat.
- A long pole attached to a pivot and used to raise or lower a bucket in a well.
- Informal Sweepstakes.
- The period each fall, winter, and spring when television ratings are accrued and studied and advertising rates are reset.
- The national survey of local stations that is conducted to determine these ratings.
- Electronics The steady motion of an electron beam across a cathode-ray tube.
- sweep (one) off (one's) feet To cause an immediate and strongly positive response in (a person); impress deeply.