1
: moving or capable of moving with great speed
a swift runner
2
: occurring suddenly or within a very short time
a swift transition
3
: quick to respond : ready
1
: any of several lizards (especially of the genus Sceloporus) that run swiftly
2
: a reel for winding yarn or thread
3
: any of numerous small plainly colored birds (family Apodidae) that are related to the hummingbirds but superficially much resemble swallows
Examples of swift in a Sentence
Adjective
a swift and accurate response
the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta
Adverb
tried to cross the swift-flowing river
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Price, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
In Caracas, the response has been swift.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Jennifer Jacobs, Time, 17 Oct. 2019
As of Monday, Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Schrader are restricting water activities on Clear Creek because of swift-moving water and floating debris.
—Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 1 July 2019
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Making union registration swift, objective, and transparent would demonstrate genuine respect for the rule of law – and for the workers whose labor drives Cambodia’s growth.
—Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swift
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Kemp was skilled in rope and swift water rescue techniques, officials said.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
In Caracas, the response has been swift.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
That trip was referenced in the whistle-blower complaint that sparked the House’s swift-moving impeachment inquiry.
—Jennifer Jacobs, Time, 17 Oct. 2019
As of Monday, Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Schrader are restricting water activities on Clear Creek because of swift-moving water and floating debris.
—Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 1 July 2019
Noun
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Making union registration swift, objective, and transparent would demonstrate genuine respect for the rule of law – and for the workers whose labor drives Cambodia’s growth.
—Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swift
Cite this Entry
“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swift. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swift
1 of 3 adjective1
: moving or capable of moving with great speed
a swift runner
2
: occurring suddenly or within a very short time
a swift change in weather
swiftly
adverb
swiftness
noun
ˈswif(t)-nəs
swift
2 of 3 adverb
: in a swift manner
swift
3 of 3 noun
: any of numerous small mostly dark birds that are related to the hummingbirds but resemble swallows
Biographical Definition
Swift
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Jonathan 1667–1745 English (Irish-born) satirist
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share