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noun

sweeper

SWEEP

Sweeper (noun) means a person or machine that cleans by sweeping. Example: “The street sweeper passed by early in the morning.”

noun
1
A person or machine that cleans by sweeping.
"The street sweeper passed by early in the morning."
2
A defensive position in football/soccer that plays behind the main defensive line.
"The team relied on their sweeper to clean up any missed tackles."

How to use sweeper

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone or something that sweeps, or (in football/soccer) a defender positioned behind the rest of the defense.

Common pairings
street sweeper carpet sweeper play sweeper

Word forms

sweepers plural

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The street _____ passed by early in the morning.

Etymology

From "sweep" plus the "-er" ending, from Middle English swepere.

Origin: Middle English

carpet sweeper

Rhymes for sweeper

See all rhymes for sweeper →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sweeper” mean?

The word “sweeper” means a person or machine that cleans by sweeping. In plain terms, someone or something that sweeps, or (in football/soccer) a defender positioned behind the rest of the defense.

How do you pronounce “sweeper”?

“Sweeper” is pronounced SWEEP (/ˈswipɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “sweeper” in a sentence?

Here is “sweeper” used in a sentence: “The street sweeper passed by early in the morning.”

What part of speech is “sweeper”?

“Sweeper” is a noun.

Where does the word “sweeper” come from?

The word “sweeper” comes from Middle English. From "sweep" plus the "-er" ending, from Middle English swepere.

How many meanings does “sweeper” have?

“Sweeper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or machine that cleans by sweeping.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial