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 (something, such as a melody) in the style of swing music
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
Sinclair Lewis6
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
1
: an act or instance of swinging : swinging movement: such 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 (such 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
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
Examples of swing in a Sentence
Verb
The sheets swung on the clothesline.
The clock's pendulum stopped swinging.
She sat on the edge of the table, swinging her legs.
The monkeys were swinging from branch to branch high up in the trees.
I swung my suitcase into the backseat of the car.
She sat on the counter and swung her legs over to the other side.
She swung the door open.
Be careful how you swing that ax.
She swung the bat but missed the ball.
She swung her purse at me.
Noun
One swing of the hammer was all it took to drive the nail through the board.
the swing of a pendulum
upward swings in the stock market
The kids were playing on the swings.
We sat on the porch swing and watched the neighbors.
Recent Examples on the Web
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
In another potentially worrying sign for the president, younger Hispanics and Hispanic men — two groups that swung particularly dramatically toward him in last year’s election — also see him a bit more negatively.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Swapping from premium to premium, particularly to cover off the big captaincy favourites, can lead to some huge points swings, which far outweigh any four-point transfer cost.
—Holly Shand, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Tim Balk, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2024
The younger Yaz’s pre-swing bat waggle was the topic, hitting coach Justin Viele said.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for swing
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.
Verb
His victory ended nearly a decade of Democratic control in Richmond and underscored the state’s potential to swing between the parties.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
In another potentially worrying sign for the president, younger Hispanics and Hispanic men — two groups that swung particularly dramatically toward him in last year’s election — also see him a bit more negatively.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
An arid, barren landscape with extreme temperature swings from 45 to -40 degrees Celsius (113 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit).
—Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Swapping from premium to premium, particularly to cover off the big captaincy favourites, can lead to some huge points swings, which far outweigh any four-point transfer cost.
—Holly Shand, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The campaign, fought in large part over immigration, offers a symbolically weighty test of voting trends in a swing suburban district ahead of the nationwide November elections.
—Tim Balk, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2024
The younger Yaz’s pre-swing bat waggle was the topic, hitting coach Justin Viele said.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for swing
Cite this Entry
“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swing. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swing
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to move quickly in a sweeping curve
swing an ax
b
: to sway or cause to sway to and fro or turn on an axis or hinge
swung the door open
c
: to face or move in another direction
go forward, then swing to the right
2
a
: to hang or be hung so as to permit swaying or turning
b
: to die by hanging
c
: to hang freely from support
d
: to change quickly between extremes
sales swung up sharply
3
: to handle successfully : manage
can you swing the purchase of a car
4
a
: to move along with free swaying movements
b
: to start up in a smooth vigorous manner
ready to swing into action
c
: to hit at something with a sweeping movement
5
: to be lively, exciting, and up-to-date
a town that really swings
swinger
noun
ˈswiŋ-ər
swing
2 of 2 noun1
: an act of swinging
2
: a swinging movement, blow, or rhythm
3
: the distance that something swings
a pendulum with a 5-foot swing
4
: a swinging seat usually hung by ropes or chains
5
a
: a curving course or outline
b
: a course beginning and ending at the same point
a swing through town
c
: a sudden change in state or condition
mood swings
swing
adjective
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