swing

1 of 3

verb

swung ˈswəŋ How to pronounce swing (audio) ; swinging ˈswiŋ-iŋ How to pronounce swing (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to move vigorously through a wide arc or circle
swing an ax
b
: to cause to sway to and fro
c(1)
: to cause to turn on an axis
(2)
: to cause to face or move in another direction
swing the car into a side road
2
: to suspend so as to permit swaying or turning
3
: to convey by suspension
cranes swinging cargo into the ship's hold
4
a(1)
: to influence decisively
swing a lot of votes
(2)
: to bring around by influence
b
: to handle successfully : manage
wasn't able to swing a new car on his income
swing a deal
5
: to play or sing (something, such as a melody) in the style of swing music

intransitive verb

1
: to move freely to and fro especially in suspension from an overhead support
2
a
: to die by hanging
b
: to hang freely from a support
3
: to move in or describe a circle or arc:
a
: to turn on a hinge or pivot
b
: to turn in place
c
: to convey oneself by grasping a fixed support
swing aboard the train
4
a
: to have a steady pulsing rhythm
b
: to play or sing with a lively compelling rhythm
specifically : to play swing music
5
: to shift or fluctuate from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
swing constantly from optimism to pessimism and backSinclair Lewis
6
a
: to move along rhythmically
b
: to start up in a smooth vigorous manner
ready to swing into action
7
: to hit or aim at something with a sweeping arm movement
8
a
: to be lively, exciting, and up-to-date
b
: to engage freely in sex

swing

2 of 3

noun

1
: an act or instance of swinging : swinging movement: such as
a(1)
: a stroke or blow delivered with a sweeping arm movement
a batter with a powerful swing
(2)
: a sweeping or rhythmic movement of the body or a bodily part
(3)
: a dance figure in which two dancers revolve with joined arms or hands
(4)
: jazz dancing in moderate tempo with a lilting syncopation
b(1)
: the regular movement of a freely suspended object (such as a pendulum) along an arc and back
(2)
: back and forth sweep
the swing of the tides
c(1)
: steady pulsing rhythm (as in poetry or music)
(2)
: a steady vigorous movement characterizing an activity or creative work
d(1)
: a trend toward a high or low point in a fluctuating cycle (as of business activity)
(2)
: an often periodic shift from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
2
a
: liberty of action
b(1)
: the driving power of something swung or hurled
(2)
: steady vigorous advance : driving speed
a train approaching at full swing
3
: the progression of an activity, process, or phase of existence
the work is in full swing
4
: the arc or range through which something swings
5
: something that swings freely from or on a support
especially : a seat suspended by a rope or chains for swinging to and fro on for pleasure
6
a
: a curving course or outline
b
: a course from and back to a point : a circular tour
7
: jazz that is played (as by a big band) with a steady beat and that uses the harmonic structures of popular songs and the blues as a basis for improvisations and arrangements
8
: a short pass in football thrown to a back running to the outside

swing

3 of 3

adjective

1
: of or relating to musical swing
a swing band
swing music
swing dancing
2
: that may swing often decisively either way on an issue or in an election
swing voters
a swing state
Choose the Right Synonym for swing

swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down.

swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Examples of swing in a Sentence

Verb The sheets swung on the clothesline. The clock's pendulum stopped swinging. She sat on the edge of the table, swinging her legs. The monkeys were swinging from branch to branch high up in the trees. I swung my suitcase into the backseat of the car. She sat on the counter and swung her legs over to the other side. She swung the door open. Be careful how you swing that ax. She swung the bat but missed the ball. She swung her purse at me. Noun One swing of the hammer was all it took to drive the nail through the board. the swing of a pendulum upward swings in the stock market The kids were playing on the swings. We sat on the porch swing and watched the neighbors.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Body camera footage captures the moment that Hildebrandt finally swings open her large, wooden front door. Samantha Wanderer, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 Among other things, the Democratic power structure swung to Elliott in the November election. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 Editor’s picks Recently, however, the pendulum has swung slightly, with many female influencers promoting the diet. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024 Paramedics also examined the scratch on Deputy District Attorney Kevin Bell’s hand, who swung back at Randle afterward, according to witnesses. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 Liquid methane and oxygen must be kept at cryogenic temperatures, but temperatures in space can swing between extreme cold and heat. Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 The price of gold, which has shot to records on expectations for coming rate cuts, also swung. Yuri Kageyama, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 If the Duterte family returns to power, the Philippines could rescind security commitments or swing back to a more pro-China foreign policy, political analysts say. Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The performance swings back and forth with the diabolical momentum of Poe’s pendulum. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
Noun
The retailer has been dropping new deals every week throughout the end of the month on items like Graco swings, Evenflo car seats, and Baby Einstein Play Mat, plus comfy rockers and breast pumps for you. Lauren Fischer, Parents, 23 Mar. 2024 Such rapid swings — not just in weather but in water reliability — are reflective of the state’s changing climate, officials say. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024 Netflix’s 3 Body Problem is considered a big swing for the streamer. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2024 Tom Williams delighted the masses by sharing footage of three bear cubs playing together on an oversize swing in Gatlinburg on social media Tuesday. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 There’s also a 330-yard driving range and a putting green with swing analytics equipment. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 Hitting coach Justin Viele pointed out that the stability of Lee’s hands in his swing mirrors Ichiro’s. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2024 He’s scheduled to play in the matinee game for a Bucks team that has lost the first two games of a four-game West Coast swing, which makes this contest that much more challenging for the Clippers. Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Jool Baby is the latest company to voluntarily recall an infant swing due to the risk of suffocation for babies. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 7 Mar. 2024
Adjective
There’s no time to make mid-swing decisions. Dallas News, 10 Mar. 2022 The younger Yaz’s pre-swing bat waggle was the topic, hitting coach Justin Viele said. Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023 Lombardo, the sheriff in Las Vegas who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is seeking to unseat first-term Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in November’s general election in the swing Western state. Scott Sonner, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 But at the center of his issues was that Norby still had too much pre-swing movement. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 21 Sep. 2022 Our favorite feature, though, are its semi-swing doors. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 June 2022 Velasquez got Trevor Story on a check-swing third strike to end the inning, putting him in position to pick up the win. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2022 The high-speed Ion3 camera captures club and ball launch data at the point of impact and also records an HD video of the club through the impact zone for post-swing analysis. Shaun Tolson, Robb Report, 3 May 2022 Adell simplified his pre-swing approach by removing excess movement and shortened his path to the ball, resulting in better plate discipline and more consistent contact. Mike Digiovannastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to beat, fling, hurl, rush, from Old English swingan to beat, fling oneself, rush; akin to Old High German swingan to fling, rush

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swing was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near swing

Cite this Entry

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swing. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

swing

1 of 2 verb
swung ˈswəŋ How to pronounce swing (audio) ; swinging ˈswiŋ-iŋ How to pronounce swing (audio)
1
a
: to move quickly in a sweeping curve
swing an ax
b
: to sway or cause to sway to and fro or turn on an axis or hinge
swung the door open
c
: to face or move in another direction
go forward, then swing to the right
2
a
: to hang or be hung so as to permit swaying or turning
b
: to die by hanging
c
: to hang freely from support
d
: to change quickly between extremes
sales swung up sharply
3
: to handle successfully : manage
can you swing the purchase of a car
4
a
: to move along with free swaying movements
b
: to start up in a smooth vigorous manner
ready to swing into action
c
: to hit at something with a sweeping movement
5
: to be lively, exciting, and up-to-date
a town that really swings
swinger
ˈswiŋ-ər
noun

swing

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of swinging
2
: a swinging movement, blow, or rhythm
3
: the distance that something swings
a pendulum with a 5-foot swing
4
: a swinging seat usually hung by ropes or chains
5
a
: a curving course or outline
b
: a course beginning and ending at the same point
a swing through town
c
: a sudden change in state or condition
mood swings
swing adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on swing

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