Definition Definition

swing - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'swing' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Swing [ n.]
- To turn round by action of wind or tide when at anchor; as, a ship swings with the tide.
- To be hanged.
- The act of swinging; a waving, oscillating, or vibratory motion of a hanging or pivoted object; oscillation; as, the swing of a pendulum.
- Swaying motion from one side or direction to the other; as, some men walk with a swing.
- A line, cord, or other thing suspended and hanging loose, upon which anything may swing; especially, an apparatus for recreation by swinging, commonly consisting of a rope, the two ends of which are attached overhead, as to the bough of a tree, a seat being placed in the loop at the bottom; also, any contrivance by which a similar motion is produced for amusement or exercise.
- Influence of power of a body put in swaying motion.
- Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter of the largest object that can be turned in it.
- Free course; unrestrained liberty or license; tendency.
2 . Swing [ v. i.]
- To move to and fro, as a body suspended in the air; to wave; to vibrate; to oscillate.
- To sway or move from one side or direction to another; as, the door swung open.
- To use a swing; as, a boy swings for exercise or pleasure. See Swing, n., 3.
3 . Swing [ v. t.]
- To cause to swing or vibrate; to cause to move backward and forward, or from one side to the other.
- To give a circular movement to; to whirl; to brandish; as, to swing a sword; to swing a club; hence, colloquially, to manage; as, to swing a business.
- To admit or turn (anything) for the purpose of shaping it; -- said of a lathe; as, the lathe can swing a pulley of 12 inches diameter.

Meaning of 'swing' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . swing [ n]
Meaning (1):
- in baseball; a batter's attempt to hit a pitched ball
Example in sentence:
  • he took a vicious cut at the ball
Meaning (2):
- a sweeping blow or stroke
Example in sentence:
  • he took a wild swing at my head
Meaning (3):
- a state of steady vigorous action that is characteristic of an activity
Example in sentence:
  • it took time to get into the swing of things;
  • the party went with a swing
4 . swing [ v]
Meaning (4):
- move or walk in a swinging or swaying manner
Example in sentence:
  • He swung back
Meaning (5):
- move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
Example in sentence:
  • He swung his left fist;
  • swing a bat
Meaning (6):
- alternate dramatically between high and low values
Example in sentence:
  • his mood swings;
  • the market is swinging up and down
Meaning (7):
- change direction with a swinging motion; turn
Example in sentence:
  • swing back;
  • swing forward
Meaning (8):
- hang freely
Example in sentence:
  • The light dropped from the ceiling;
  • the ornaments dangled from the tree;
  • The secret police suspended their victims from the ceiling and beat them
Meaning (9):
- have a certain musical rhythm
Example in sentence:
  • The music has to swing
Meaning (10):
- hit or aim at with a sweeping arm movement
Example in sentence:
  • The soccer player began to swing at the referee
Meaning (11):
- live in a lively, modern, and relaxed style
Example in sentence:
  • The Woodstock generation attempted to swing freely
Meaning (12):
- engage freely in promiscuous sex, often with the husband or wife of one's friends
Example in sentence:
  • There were many swinging couples in the 1960's
Meaning (13):
- influence decisively
Example in sentence:
  • This action swung many votes over to his side

Nearby Words:

swich swietenia swift swifter swiftfoot swiftlet swiftly swiftness swig swill

See 'swing' also in:

Dictionary.com Google Translator Wikipedia.com Merriam Webster

Categories

Browse Dictionary