Dictionary.com

swallow

1
[ swol-oh ]
/ ˈswɒl oʊ /
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See synonyms for: swallow / swallowed / swallowing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to perform the act of swallowing.
noun
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Origin of swallow

1
First recorded before 1000; Middle English verb swolwen, swalwen, Old English swelgan; cognate with German schwelgen; akin to Old Norse svelgja; Middle English noun swolwe, swoluh, Old English geswelgh “throat, abyss, whirlpool”; akin to Middle Low German swelch, Old High German swelgo “glutton,” Old Norse svelgr “swirl, whirlpool; devourer”

OTHER WORDS FROM swallow

swal·low·a·ble, adjectiveswal·low·er, nounun·swal·low·a·ble, adjectiveun·swal·lowed, adjective

Other definitions for swallow (2 of 2)

swallow2
[ swol-oh ]
/ ˈswɒl oʊ /

noun
any of numerous small, long-winged passerine birds of the family Hirundinidae, noted for their swift, graceful flight and for the extent and regularity of their migrations.Compare bank swallow, barn swallow, martin.
any of several unrelated, swallowlike birds, as the chimney swift.

Origin of swallow

2
First recorded before 900; Middle English swal(e)we, Old English sweal(e)we; cognate with German Schwalbe, Old Norse svala
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use swallow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for swallow (1 of 2)

swallow1
/ (ˈswɒləʊ) /

verb (mainly tr)
noun

Derived forms of swallow

swallowable, adjectiveswallower, noun

Word Origin for swallow

Old English swelgan; related to Old Norse svelga, Old High German swelgan to swallow, Swedish svalg gullet

British Dictionary definitions for swallow (2 of 2)

swallow2
/ (ˈswɒləʊ) /

noun
any passerine songbird of the family Hirundinidae, esp Hirundo rustica (common or barn swallow), having long pointed wings, a forked tail, short legs, and a rapid flightRelated adjective: hirundine

Derived forms of swallow

swallow-like, adjective

Word Origin for swallow

Old English swealwe; related to Old Frisian swale, Old Norse svala, Old High German swalwa
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with swallow

swallow

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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