sweeping Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the act of cleaning with a broom
   
2. verb sweep across or over
   brush; sweep.
   
   • Her long skirt brushed the floor
   • A gasp swept cross the audience
3. verb move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions
   sail; sweep.
   
   • The diva swept into the room
   • Shreds of paper sailed through the air
   • The searchlights swept across the sky
4. verb sweep with a broom or as if with a broom
   broom; sweep.
   
   • Sweep the crumbs off the table
   • Sweep under the bed
5. verb force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action
   embroil; sweep; drag; drag in; sweep up; tangle.
   
   • They were swept up by the events
   • don't drag me into this business
6. verb to cover or extend over an area or time period
   traverse; span; cross; sweep.
   
   • Rivers traverse the valley floor", "The parking lot spans 3 acres
   • The novel spans three centuries
7. verb clean by sweeping
   sweep.
   
   • Please sweep the floor
8. verb win an overwhelming victory in or on
   sweep.
   
   • Her new show dog swept all championships
9. verb cover the entire range of
   sweep.
   
10. verb make a big sweeping gesture or movement
    sweep; swing out; swing.
    
11. adjective satellite taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
    
    • a sweeping glance
    • a wide-sweeping view of the river
12. adjective satellite ignoring distinctions
    wholesale.
    
    • sweeping generalizations
    • wholesale destruction

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