sweep1 verbsweep2 noun
sweepsweep1 /swiːp/ ●●● W3 verb (past tense and past participle swept /swept/) 
WORD ORIGINsweep1
Origin:
1200-1300 Probably from sweop, the past tense of Old English swapan ‘to sweep’VERB TABLE
sweep
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | sweep |
| he, she, it | sweeps | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | swept |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have swept |
| he, she, it | has swept | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had swept |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will sweep |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have swept |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am sweeping |
| he, she, it | is sweeping | |
| you, we, they | are sweeping | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was sweeping |
| you, we, they | were sweeping | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been sweeping |
| he, she, it | has been sweeping | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been sweeping |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be sweeping |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been sweeping |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Can you help me sweep up all the pieces of glass?
- I just finished sweeping the kitchen floor.
- Linda swept the coins into her purse.
- Strong waves swept the boy out into the surf.
- The Democrats had swept the fall elections and were about to take control of the Senate.
- When everyone had left, Ed swept the floor.
- He kind of swept me off my feet.
- Just ask the experts, the cops who sweep them up afterward.
- Phillario has already wished that the rain would sweep Mira away, and now Corydon is intent on getting rid of weeds.
- While the keen amateurs struggle with maggots and nets on the bank ... these professionals cruise by sweeping up.
- You couldn't bear the thought of a chit of a girl sweeping in and scooping the jackpot.
Longman Language Activatorto clean something with a brush
to clean something with a brush: · You should brush your jacket -- it's covered in dust.brush something off: · I brushed the crumbs off the sofa.brush your teeth: · Have you brushed your teeth yet?
to clean something by rubbing it hard with a brush and some water or soap: · Part of my job was to wash the dishes and scrub the floors.· Scrub the potatoes and boil them for 5-10 minutes.
to clean the floor or the ground using a brush with a long handle: · When everyone had left, Ed swept the floor.sweep up something/sweep something up (=remove something from a floor by sweeping): · Can you help me sweep up all the pieces of glass?
to rub a cooking pan or hard surface with a piece of rough material in order to clean it: · I scoured the pots and pans.· Scour the bowl with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
to hide information · He took off his ring to hide the fact that he was married.· She somehow hid the fact she couldn't read throughout her schooldays.hide something from somebody · The agency has been criticized for being too secretive and hiding information from the public.have nothing to hide · Ask me anything you want - I have nothing to hide.
formal to hide facts or the truth about something, especially by not giving people enough information about it or by lying: · He managed to conceal the fact that he had been in prison and so got a job as a security officer.conceal something from somebody: · Several drug companies are accused of concealing information from the Food and Drug Administration.
to do things that prevent people from finding out mistakes or unpleasant facts: cover up something: · Lewis asked his wife to lie in an attempt to cover up the murder.cover something up: · Kate has made some big mistakes, and she won't be able to cover them up for long.
formal to prevent important facts or information from being made known in a public or official situation: · Police were accused of suppressing evidence that might have proved that the men were innocent.· The CIA has often tried to suppress reports that are embarrassing to the agency.
informal to make a careful and deliberate attempt to stop people finding out about something wrong or criminal that you have done, by telling lies, hiding facts etc: · She covered her tracks by saying that she'd been at a friend's house all that evening.· Davis covered his tracks so well that no one could prove he had received any of the money.
informal to try to keep something wrong that has happened a secret: · All the evidence pointing to McKay's guilt has been swept under the carpet.· Before the scandal broke, an attempt had been made to sweep the senator's illegal activities under the carpet.
to start to love someone to begin to be in love with someone: · I suddenly realized that I'd fallen in love.fall in love with: · I think I fell in love with Ralph the first time I met him.
to suddenly start to love someone a lot: · I met Sam at college, and immediately fell head-over-heels in love with him.· I was head-over-heels in love with someone who barely even noticed me.
informal to start to love someone: · She always seems to fall for the wrong type of man.· I fell for Dan almost immediately.
a situation in which you start to love someone the first time you see them: · When I met Tracy it was love at first sight.· I don't believe in love at first sight.
if someone sweeps you off your feet, you start to love them very quickly, especially when you do not expect it to happen: · Then Peter came into my life and swept me off my feet.· She's just waiting to be swept off her feet by a handsome stranger.
to win easily · Everyone expected the Democrats to win easily.win something easily · She won the race easily with seconds to spare.
to win very easily without having any problems: · The Socialists will win hands down if the election is free and fair.· The newer model wins hands down when it comes to speed and capacity.
if a game, competition etc is no contest , one person or team wins so easily that it is impossible for their opponent to win: · In the end it was no contest. New Labour won more votes than even they thought possible.
to win a game or competition very easily, especially because you are much better than your opponents: · United have established a clear lead, and are threatening to run away with the championship.
American to be very likely to easily win an election, competition etc, by having many more points, votes etc than you opponents: · He looked like a shoo-in to win South Carolina's Republican presidential primary.
to win very easily, in a way that impresses people - used especially in news reports: · Olson scored twice as the Rams swept to victory.· Nixon swept to victory by 47 million votes to 29 million.
British informal to win a race or game easily: · No goals were scored in the first half but Spurs romped home in the second, scoring four.
WORD SETSbin, nounbin liner, nounboil, verbborax, nounBrillo pad, nounbroom, nounbroomstick, nouncarpet sweeper, nounchar, verbchar, nouncharlady, nouncharwoman, nounchimney sweep, nouncleaner, nouncleanser, nounclothes basket, nounclothesline, nounclothes peg, nounconditioner, noundeodorize, verbdescale, verbdisinfect, verbdisinfectant, noundry-clean, verbdust, verbduster, noundustpan, nounfabric softener, nounfeather duster, nounflush, verbFrench polish, nounfumigate, verbhamper, nounHoover, nounhoover, verbhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectivekitchen roll, nounlaundry basket, nounlimescale, nounline, nounload, nounmangle, nounmop, nounmop, verbpolish, nounrag, nounrinse, verbrinse, nounsanitary, adjectivesanitation, nounscour, verbscourer, nounscrub, verbscrub, nounscrubbing brush, nounshampoo, nounsoak, verbsoak, nounsoapflakes, nounsoap powder, nounsoapsuds, nounsoapy, adjectivesoda, nounsoftener, nounspin, verbspin-dryer, nounsqueegee, nounstarch, verbsuds, nounswab, verbsweep, verbsweep, nounsweeper, nounsweepings, nounswill, verbswill, nountea cloth, nountea towel, nountide-mark, nounturpentine, nounturps, nounvacuum, nounvacuum, verbvacuum cleaner, nounwash, nounwashable, adjectivewashboard, nounwashcloth, nounwashday, nounwasher, nounwasher-dryer, nounwashing, nounwashing line, nounwashing machine, nounwashing powder, nounwashing soda, nounwashing-up, nounwashing-up liquid, nounwashtub, nounwhisk broom, nounwindow cleaner, nounwipe, verbwire wool, nounwring, verbwringer, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
a wave of nationalism sweeping the country Nixon and Agnew swept to victory with 47 million votes. Herrera was swept into office on the promise of major reforms.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a sweeping generalization based on speculation He began to sweep the pieces of glass into a pile.
a wave of nationalism sweeping the country Nixon and Agnew swept to victory with 47 million votes. Herrera was swept into office on the promise of major reforms. (=affecting many things or people, especially because of an official decision)· There are likely to be sweeping changes in the company.
(=use a brush to clean something)· She quickly swept the floor clean.
(=carries them very powerfully, so that they cannot stop moving)· The treacherous currents have swept away three swimmers in the past year.
(=wide and gentle)· the sweeping curve of the bay
· He grabbed a broom and began sweeping the floor.
· His gaze travelled over the still water to the other side of the lake.
a sweeping generalization based on speculation (=tidy away fallen leaves using a brush)· Jack was sweeping leaves in the back garden.
formal:· Nausea swept over him when he tried to stand.
He began to sweep the pieces of glass into a pile. (=win an election easily)· Reagan swept to power by promising reforms.
(=reforms that affect many things or have a great effect)· The new government instituted a series of far-reaching reforms.
(=be taken far away from land by the sea)· They had to rescue three young canoeists who were swept out to sea.
(=one that is too general)· Researchers do not want to make any sweeping statements at this stage.
(=win easily)· Nixon swept to victory by 47 million votes to 29 million.
(=someone suddenly experiences a feeling or emotion)· A sudden wave of joy swept over her.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· He had been swept along by Tommy's drunken madness.· Had he merely been swept along by the force of her own impulsive feelings?· He is sweeping along on a tide of revisionism.· Debris of all sizes up to great boulders may be swept along until the flood subsides.· Perhaps because I am being swept along by it, I recently chose to have a little flutter myself.· They swept along the crimson canal into the purlieus of the new city.· Yearning and brilliance clasp hands and sweep along together.· Philip was as reluctant as Henry, but the two Kings were now swept along by the tide of public opinion.
· But these objections were swept aside.· But the scientific doubts were swept aside amid pleas from anxious patients.· John Bryant, a congressman and the preferred party candidate, was swept aside.· Yet the past may not be so easily swept aside.· But simplistic claims have to be swept aside.· Either way they risk being swept aside in turn when he succeeds, when they also seem stupid.· Yet the world champion is so unpredictably gifted that one on-song display could easily enable her to sweep aside the opposition.· He made himself the centre for information during the Red Raids that followed, brutal nights when civil liberties were swept aside.
· Until that outdated charade is swept away, Britain's decline will continue, whatever government may be in power.· That provided a last opportunity before the bridegroom-to-be would be swept away on his mission.· Cloud-shadows tried to creep the length of the street, but were swept away by the sun.· Edna had loved her first husband, and was swept away by her second.· None of this ultimately mattered as everyone was swept away by the beauty and the joy of it all.· He stood by helplessly as De La Hoya was being swept away by the crowd.· I think she was swept away by the power of the man and his importance.· She opened the door and the two windows to let the morning sweep away the cooking odors.
· Her black hair was swept back in the careless style that only the most expensive hairdressing can give.· Her eyelids swept down over her eyes and swept back up again.· The traditional crop is softened with a short fringe For the man in control, hair is swept back in strong waves.· Her eyes swept back and forth over them as steady as a turning beacon.· He swept back the curtain above his bunk.· A thin strand of smoke swept back over Ezra and vanished in the wind.· De Gaulle was swept back to power.· She is young and she is beautiful, jaw jutting forth, hair swept back, eyes deep and direct.
· She was sweeping out the yard while Bella cooked the lunch and sang to the baby.· He got a job sweeping out a saloon and was allowed to sleep in the carriage house behind it.· They swept out, Charity enquiring loudly as she went when the so-called war was going to begin.· They even sweep out the shops by piece rate.· Washout occurs when material below the cloud is swept out by rain or snow as it falls.· The Sadlowski campaign in Chicago swept out all sorts of local-union old guards.· I was just so furious that I swept out in high dudgeon.
· The wind sweeps through and the hunched wolf shivers.· The sunlight glimmered off these blades and when the sea breeze swept through they rippled like sequins on a party dress.
· Victorian values might include slavery, children down the mines and chimney sweeps up the stack, as well as gin parlours and asylums.· Rumors swept up from the factory floor and lofted back down again from the cubicles of middle management.· Stiffly, reluctantly, she rose to her feet and began to sweep up the litter of broken china.· By collision and gravitational attraction, the larger planetesimals swept up the smaller pieces and became the planets.· The leaves hadn't been swept up, and the gravel was alive with weeds.· It led to a five-foot-wide walnut staircase that swept up in a sumptuous curve to the floor above.· I was swept up in sadness that afternoon.
NOUN· Now comes a fine Teldec Digital Experience disc which sonically sweeps the board.· Last season, they swept the board with all four leading places.· If the reformists emerge as the largest group, they will sweep the board.· Still, when the outcome was finally confirmed, reformers had swept the board.
· We knew that it wouldn't just go away if we swept it under the carpet.· Voice over There's no chance of dirt being swept under the carpet.· Refuse to sweep difficulties under the carpet but sort things out even when it is painful.
· He found sweeping the floor too boring and manoeuvred himself into a role making electrical control panels.· By half past six, he was sweeping the floor of the shop.· Vashti McKenzie, looking cool and calm in a royal blue Africaninspired two-piece dress that swept the floor.· That looks a pretty good job, sweeping the floor, though I'd rather have a go on the sweeping machine.· In other cities, I swept floors and emptied garbage cans.· To be applied to everything from religious observance to sweeping the kitchen floor.· You could sweep floors for all I care.
· Remorse about Dole, reflected in the opinion-poll chasm between him and Bill Clinton, swept the nation.
· A WIND of change has swept Ellesmere Port Town that isn't good news.· Even surrounded by environmentalists on the wind swept banks of the mighty Connecticut River, Rep.· She suddenly felt as cold as the raw wind of March that swept the streets of London outside her office window.· It must have been a tough journey in the intense cold and wind that sweeps the Himalayas below Mount Everest.· The wind sweeps through and the hunched wolf shivers.· The wind sweeps unhindered across the plains, and there is very little precipitation.· The farm was beside Lake Eyrie and rain, along with bitter winds, would sweep over the vineyard.· It was a wind that might have swept the fields of mortality for a thousand centuries.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► sweep something ↔ away► sweep somebody away► sweep somebody ↔ upPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1clean something [transitive] to clean the dust, dirt etc from the floor or ground, using a brush with a long handle SYN brush: - If the reformists emerge as the largest group, they will sweep the board.
- Last season, they swept the board with all four leading places.
- Now comes a fine Teldec Digital Experience disc which sonically sweeps the board.
- Still, when the outcome was finally confirmed, reformers had swept the board.
- Donald absolutely swept me off my feet.
- She's just waiting to be swept off her feet by a handsome stranger.
- Then Peter came into my life and swept me off my feet.
- Refuse to sweep difficulties under the carpet but sort things out even when it is painful.
- We knew that it wouldn't just go away if we swept it under the carpet.
- Lewis, Burrell, and Mitchell made it a clean sweep for the U.S. in the 100 meters.
- But he failed to achieve a clean sweep of the end-of-season awards.
- I had made up my mind at the Scenic Overlook to make a clean sweep through the house.
- Lismore's minor outfit were beaten 21-14 by Notra Dame to destroy chances of a clean sweep.
- Now is the time to make a clean sweep of all the jobs you put off during the bad weather.
- The poll also pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats in elections for lieutenant-governor and attorney-general.
Bert swept the path in front of the house.sweep something off/out/up etc Will you sweep the leaves off the patio?2push something somewhere [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move things from a surface with a brushing movement: I swept the papers quickly into the drawer.3push somebody/something with force [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to force someone or something to move in a particular direction: The windsurfer was swept out to sea. Jessie was swept along by the angry crowd.4group moves [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a group of people or animals sweep somewhere, they quickly move there togethersweep through/along etc The crowd swept through the gates of the stadium.5wind/waves etc [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] if winds, waves, fire etc sweep a place or sweep through, across etc a place, they move quickly and with a lot of force: Thunderstorms swept the country.sweep across/through etc Ninety-mile per hour winds swept across the plains.6become popular [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] written if an idea, feeling, or activity sweeps a group of people or a place, it quickly becomes very popular or commonsweep the country/nation/state etc a wave of nationalism sweeping the countrysweep across/through etc the latest craze sweeping through the teenage population7feeling [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a feeling sweeps over you, you are suddenly affected by itsweep over A feeling of isolation swept over me.8person [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if someone sweeps somewhere, they move quickly and confidently, especially because they are impatient or like to seem importantsweep into/through etc Eva swept into the meeting and demanded to know what was going on.9politics [intransitive, transitive] to win an election easily and in an impressive waysweep to power/victory Nixon and Agnew swept to victory with 47 million votes. Herrera was swept into office on the promise of major reforms.10sports [transitive] American English to win all of the games in a series of games against a particular team: Houston swept Orlando to become NBA champions.11sweep the board British English to win everything that can be won, especially very easily12form a curve [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to form a long curved shapesweep down/along etc The hills swept down to the sea.13look [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to look quickly at all of something: The general’s eyes swept the horizon.sweep over/across/around etc the beam from the lighthouse sweeping across the sea14sweep somebody off their feet to make someone feel suddenly and strongly attracted to you in a romantic way: Jill’s been swept off her feet by an older man.15sweep/brush something under the carpet (also sweep something under the rug American English) to try to keep something a secret, especially something you have done wrong16hair [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to pull your hair back from your facesweep something back/up Kerry swept her hair back into a ponytail.sweep somebody along phrasal verb to sweep someone awaysweep something ↔ aside phrasal verb to refuse to pay attention to something someone says: Branson swept all the objections aside.sweep somebody/something away phrasal verb1sweep something ↔ away to completely destroy something or make something disappear: houses swept away by the floods A sudden feeling of grief swept all my anger away.2sweep somebody away (also sweep somebody along) if you are swept away or swept along by something, you are so excited that you do not think clearly or you forget about other things: We couldn’t help being swept away by Bette’s enthusiasm. Nineteenth-century scientists were swept along on the tide of Darwin’s theories.GRAMMAR Sweep away or sweep along is usually passive in this meaning.sweep up phrasal verb1to clean the dust, dirt etc from the floor or ground using a brush with a long handle: The janitor was just sweeping up as I left the building.sweep something ↔ up Jan was sweeping up the bits of paper and broken glass.2sweep somebody ↔ up to pick someone up in one quick movement: Harriet swept the child up in her arms and hugged her.sweep1 verbsweep2 noun
sweepsweep2 noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Police made a sweep of the area to arrest drug dealers.
- The sweep of the court's decision could affect all car manufacturers.
- The Giants completed their four-game sweep of Atlanta.
- The whale swam away with great sweeps of its tail.
- A good deal of that has changed in the sweep of less than 100 years.
- I felt the slow sweep of geologic time.
- Neighbors had complained that months went by and one never saw a chimney sweep.
- Nevertheless, a foot sweep does require a lot of power to prevent it from degenerating into no more than a shin attack.
- The sweep into Putumayo promises equally dire consequences.
- This really means cutting in angled sweeps, allowing the double blade to cut on the forward and return arc.
WORD SETS
bin, nounbin liner, nounboil, verbborax, nounBrillo pad, nounbroom, nounbroomstick, nouncarpet sweeper, nounchar, verbchar, nouncharlady, nouncharwoman, nounchimney sweep, nouncleaner, nouncleanser, nounclothes basket, nounclothesline, nounclothes peg, nounconditioner, noundeodorize, verbdescale, verbdisinfect, verbdisinfectant, noundry-clean, verbdust, verbduster, noundustpan, nounfabric softener, nounfeather duster, nounflush, verbFrench polish, nounfumigate, verbhamper, nounHoover, nounhoover, verbhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectivekitchen roll, nounlaundry basket, nounlimescale, nounline, nounload, nounmangle, nounmop, nounmop, verbpolish, nounrag, nounrinse, verbrinse, nounsanitary, adjectivesanitation, nounscour, verbscourer, nounscrub, verbscrub, nounscrubbing brush, nounshampoo, nounsoak, verbsoak, nounsoapflakes, nounsoap powder, nounsoapsuds, nounsoapy, adjectivesoda, nounsoftener, nounspin, verbspin-dryer, nounsqueegee, nounstarch, verbsuds, nounswab, verbsweep, verbsweep, nounsweeper, nounsweepings, nounswill, verbswill, nountea cloth, nountea towel, nountide-mark, nounturpentine, nounturps, nounvacuum, nounvacuum, verbvacuum cleaner, nounwash, nounwashable, adjectivewashboard, nounwashcloth, nounwashday, nounwasher, nounwasher-dryer, nounwashing, nounwashing line, nounwashing machine, nounwashing powder, nounwashing soda, nounwashing-up, nounwashing-up liquid, nounwashtub, nounwhisk broom, nounwindow cleaner, nounwipe, verbwire wool, nounwring, verbwringer, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY the wide sweep of lawn the broad sweep of history He watched the helicopter make a sweep over the beach.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a sweeping generalization based on speculation He began to sweep the pieces of glass into a pile.
the wide sweep of lawn the broad sweep of history He watched the helicopter make a sweep over the beach. (=affecting many things or people, especially because of an official decision)· There are likely to be sweeping changes in the company.
(=use a brush to clean something)· She quickly swept the floor clean.
(=carries them very powerfully, so that they cannot stop moving)· The treacherous currents have swept away three swimmers in the past year.
(=wide and gentle)· the sweeping curve of the bay
· He grabbed a broom and began sweeping the floor.
· His gaze travelled over the still water to the other side of the lake.
a sweeping generalization based on speculation (=tidy away fallen leaves using a brush)· Jack was sweeping leaves in the back garden.
formal:· Nausea swept over him when he tried to stand.
He began to sweep the pieces of glass into a pile. (=win an election easily)· Reagan swept to power by promising reforms.
(=reforms that affect many things or have a great effect)· The new government instituted a series of far-reaching reforms.
(=be taken far away from land by the sea)· They had to rescue three young canoeists who were swept out to sea.
(=one that is too general)· Researchers do not want to make any sweeping statements at this stage.
(=win easily)· Nixon swept to victory by 47 million votes to 29 million.
(=someone suddenly experiences a feeling or emotion)· A sudden wave of joy swept over her.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Now is the time to make a clean sweep of all the jobs you put off during the bad weather.· I had made up my mind at the Scenic Overlook to make a clean sweep through the house.· A clean sweep, that was what was needed.· The poll also pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats in elections for lieutenant-governor and attorney-general.· Worrell averaged 83 with the bat, leading his team to only the fourth 5-0 clean sweep in Test history.· But he failed to achieve a clean sweep of the end-of-season awards.· Lismore's minor outfit were beaten 21-14 by Notra Dame to destroy chances of a clean sweep.
· Jimmy made a wide sweep of the littered clearing, finding his own kind of kindling.· I counted more than 30 tufted ducks while at least 80 mallards were making wide sweeps round the pond before resettling.· There is a shift from the wider historical sweep of the previous chapter, to the details of present conversation.· Cut to the wide sweep of Hampstead Heath.
NOUN· She might even ring the chimney sweep.· Neighbors had complained that months went by and one never saw a chimney sweep.· That would not have been a risk incidental to the trade of chimney sweep.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► the sweepsPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1a long swinging movement of your arm, a weapon etc: - A good deal of that has changed in the sweep of less than 100 years.
- Again and again the master assassin ducked the sweep of Sunfang.
- But as also with Ricardo, Malthus' qualifications were lost in the sweep of his central proposition.
- But the sweep of the decision potentially reaches well beyond this administration and the Espy inquiry.
- Large dark pines stood like sentinels guarding the sweep of wintry garden.
- Magona has a surer touch when narrating the sweep of history that builds up to create inevitable results.
- The obituary in the New York Times had the sweep of history.
- The shape of the elongated spiky dorsal fin is reflected in the sweep of the flowing ventral fins.
- Lewis, Burrell, and Mitchell made it a clean sweep for the U.S. in the 100 meters.
- But he failed to achieve a clean sweep of the end-of-season awards.
- I had made up my mind at the Scenic Overlook to make a clean sweep through the house.
- Lismore's minor outfit were beaten 21-14 by Notra Dame to destroy chances of a clean sweep.
- Now is the time to make a clean sweep of all the jobs you put off during the bad weather.
- The poll also pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats in elections for lieutenant-governor and attorney-general.
With a single sweep of his sword, he cut through the rope.2[usually singular] British English the act of cleaning a room with a long-handled brush: The kitchen needs a good sweep.3the sweep of something a)a long curved line or area of land: the wide sweep of lawn b)the many different and important ideas, events, or qualities of something: the broad sweep of history4[usually singular] a search or attack that moves over a large area: He watched the helicopter make a sweep over the beach.5the sweeps (also sweeps month/period) American English a period of time during the year when television stations try to find out which shows are the most popular6American English a series of several games that one team wins against another team7a chimney sweep → clean sweep at clean1(14)