Definition of: sweep

(swēp) v. swept, sweep·ing v.t.
1. To collect, remove, or clear away with a broom, brush, etc.
2. To clear or clean with or as with a broom or brush: to sweep a floor; to sweep the plains of buffalo.
3. To touch or brush with a motion as of sweeping: Her dress swept the ground; to sweep the strings of a harp.
4. To pass over or through swiftly, as in searching: His eyes swept the sky.
5. To cause to move with an even, continuous action: He swept the cape over her shoulders.
6. To move, carry, bring, etc., with strong or continuous force: The flood swept the bridge away.
7. To move over or through with strong or steady force: The gale swept the bay.
8. To drag the bottom of (a body of water, etc.).
—v.i.
9. To clean or brush a floor or other surface with a broom, etc.
10. To move or go strongly and evenly, especially with speed: The train swept by.
11. To walk with or as with trailing garments: She swept into the room.
12. To trail, as a skirt.
13. To extend with a long reach or curve: The road sweeps along the lake shore on the north. See synonyms under CLEANSE.
—noun
1. The act or result of sweeping.
2. The motion of a long stroke or movement: a sweep of the hand.
3. The act of clearing out or getting rid of; hence, removal from office or place: a clean sweep of the office-holders; also, a clearance.
4. A turning of the eye or of optical instruments over the field of vision.
5. The winning of a great success, as in an election.
6. The range, area, or compass reached by sweeping, as extent of stroke, range of vision, etc.; direction or extent of motion; hence, a curve or bend, as of a scythe blade, etc.
7. One who or that which sweeps.
8. A piece, as of a machine, along which something sweeps.
9. Brit. A chimneysweeper.
10. A long, heavy oar.
11. A well sweep.
12. A curved roadway or approach before a building.
13. plural Sweepings, as of a place where precious metals are worked.
14. Physics An irreversible process in which a substance settles to thermal equilibrium or tends to do so.
15. In card games, a winning of all the points in a hand, as by taking of all the tricks in whist; in casino, the taking or capture of all the cards on the table.
16. Colloq. Sweepstakes. [ME swepen, alter. of swopen brush away <OE swāpen]
—sweep′er noun