noun

minesweeper

MYN-swee-per

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Minesweeper (noun) means a vehicle, device, or person tasked with clearing explosive mines, often a ship built for that purpose. Example: “The navy sent a minesweeper ahead of the convoy to clear the harbour.”

noun

A vehicle, device, or person tasked with clearing explosive mines, often a ship built for that purpose.

"The navy sent a minesweeper ahead of the convoy to clear the harbour."

"Engineers used a small robotic minesweeper to check the road for landmines."

"The old minesweeper had been converted into a museum ship."

computing A computer or video game in which the player must work out where hidden mines are placed on a grid using numerical clues.

"He spent his lunch break playing minesweeper on the office computer."

"She cleared the whole minesweeper grid without hitting a single mine."

"They spent the afternoon trying to beat their best time on minesweeper."

How to use minesweeper

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething, or someone, that finds and clears mines, or the well-known logic puzzle game of the same name.

When to use it

The military sense is neutral and technical, while the game sense is everyday and casual.

Memory tip

Picture the literal action of sweeping mines away, and both the ship and the puzzle game make sense.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

naval minesweeper play minesweeper clear a minefield with a minesweeper minesweeper grid

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “minesweeper” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The navy sent a _____ ahead of the convoy to clear the harbour.

Etymology

The word simply joins mine and sweeper, describing something built to sweep mines out of an area.

Origin: English

Antonyms

minelayer

Rhymes for minesweeper

leper keeper peeper beeper sweeper sleeper creeper steeper beekeeper innkeeper zookeeper goalkeeper

See all rhymes for minesweeper →

Frequently asked questions

What does minesweeper mean?

It can mean a ship, vehicle or device used to find and clear explosive mines, or a computer game based on locating hidden mines on a grid.

Is minesweeper always a ship?

Not necessarily; the word covers any vehicle, device or person used for removing mines, though it is often used specifically for ships.

Why is a computer game called Minesweeper?

The game borrows the name because players must identify and avoid hidden mines on a grid, similar to the real task a minesweeper performs.

What is the meaning of minesweeper?

"minesweeper" (noun) means a vehicle, device, or person tasked with clearing explosive mines, often a ship built for that purpose.