swale

American  

[sweyl] / sweɪl /

noun

Chiefly Northeastern U.S.

1. a low place in a tract of land, usually moister and often having ranker vegetation than the adjacent higher land.

2. a valleylike intersection of two slopes in a piece of land.

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swale British  

/ sweɪl /

noun

1. 1. a moist depression in a tract of land, usually with rank vegetation

   2. ( as modifier )

      swell and swale topography

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Etymology

Origin of swale

1400–50; late Middle English; originally a cool, shady spot, perhaps < Old Norse svalr cool, or svalir a covered porch

Explanation

A swale is a low, damp piece of land. You might want to avoid walking through the swale on your road in your brand new suede shoes. An area of ground marked by raised ridges might also have swales between them. Many swales are natural land formations, but others are made on purpose to direct rainwater, manage runoff, and conserve the soil. These deliberate swales help spread rainwater across a wide section of land, rather than allowing it to flow quickly in one direction. Swale comes from the Scottish swaill, "low place," or the East Anglican swale, "shady place."

Example Sentences

The land here was laser-leveled, and workers carved a swale to give juvenile salmon a way in and out when the plain floods.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2024

“It took me two months end to end,” Bautista said, including gutters, hardscape, edging and building a trench to the swale in the backyard.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2023

Bob MacIntyre sends his second at 18 down the swale to the left of the green, the one which briefly threatened to undo Sandy Lyle in 1985.

From The Guardian • Jul. 17, 2021

Then came his only bogey, at the 15th after missing a 5-foot par putt following a poor chip from a swale to the right of the green.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2021

Diego parked on the swale and motioned for me to follow him inside.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• bog
• marshland
• morass
• mud
• quagmire