First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1swing
verb \ˈswiŋ\
: to move backward and forward or from side to side while hanging from something
: to move with a smooth, curving motion
: to move (your arm, a tool, etc.) with a quick, curving motion especially to try to hit something
swung \ˈswəŋ\ swing·ing \ˈswiŋ-iŋ\
Full Definition of SWING
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 (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 back — Sinclair 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
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Origin of SWING
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
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
2swing
noun
: an act of moving something with a quick, sweeping motion : an act of swinging a bat, fist, etc.
: the movement of something that swings backward and forward or from side to side
: a usually sudden change from one state or condition to another
Full Definition of SWING
1
: an act or instance of swinging : swinging movement: 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 (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
See swing defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SWING
14th century
3swing
adjective
: of or relating to the style of jazz music called swing
: not certain to vote for a particular candidate or party in an election and therefore often able to decide the result of the election
Full Definition of SWING
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>
See swing defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SWING
1933
SWINGS Defined for Kids
1swing
verb \ˈswiŋ\
swung \ˈswəŋ\swing·ing
Definition of SWING for Kids
1
: to move rapidly in a sweeping curve <I swung the bat.>
2
: to turn on a hinge or pivot <The door swung open.>
3
: to move with a curving motion <Monkeys can swing from branch to branch.> <She swung her legs up on the bed.>
4
: to turn or move quickly in a particular direction <He swung the light in the direction of the noise.>
5
: to move back and forth or from side to side while hanging from a fixed point <Sheets swung on the clothes line.>
6
: to move back and forth in or on a swing
7
: to manage or handle successfully <I'll work two jobs if I can swing it.>
2swing
noun
Definition of SWING for Kids
1
: a seat usually hung by overhead ropes and used to move back and forth
2
: an act of moving something (as a bat) rapidly in a sweeping curve
3
: a sweeping movement, blow, or rhythm
4
: the distance through which something sways to and fro <The class measured the swing of a pendulum.>
5
: a style of jazz marked by lively rhythm and played mostly for dancing
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