Definition of Sweep

Verb: sweep (swept) sweep

Move across a surface or touching a surface
"A gasp swept cross the audience";
- brush
Move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions
"The diva swept into the room"; "The searchlights swept across the sky";
- sail
Collect or move dirt by moving a brush, hand, etc. in contact with a surface
"Sweep the crumbs off the table"; "Sweep under the bed";
- broom
Force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action
"They were swept up by the events";
- embroil, tangle, sweep up, drag, drag in
To cover or extend over an area or time period
"Rivers sweep the valley floor";
- cross, traverse, span
Clean by sweeping
"Please sweep the floor"
Win an overwhelming victory in or on
"Her new show dog swept all championships"
Cover the entire range of
Make a big sweeping gesture or movement
- swing, swing out

Noun: sweep sweep

A wide scope
"the sweep of the plains";
- expanse
Someone who cleans soot from chimneys
- chimneysweeper, chimneysweep
Winning all or all but one of the tricks in bridge
- slam
A long oar used in an open boat
- sweep oar
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line
- end run
A movement in an arc
"a sweep of his arm"