sweeper

[swee-per]

noun

1. a person or thing that sweeps. sweeps. sweep.

2. carpet sweeper.

3. a janitor.

4. any of several fishes of the family Pempherididae, of tropical and warm, temperate seas, having an oblong, compressed body.

sweeper

/ ˈswiːpə /

noun

1. a person employed to sweep, such as a roadsweeper

2. any device for sweeping

   a carpet sweeper

3. informal,  soccer a player who supports the main defenders, as by intercepting loose balls, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweeper¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; sweep ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

He mixed in more sweepers than usual, too, trying to negate the Blue Jays’ potent lineup with a steady dose of spin.

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Remember what it was like to see him overpower the Brewers with his fastball and sweeper when questions start about him being too old to withstand the workload of a two-way player.

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His sweeper and cutter were keeping the Brewers off balance.

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After stranding runners on the corners in a shaky first, the left-hander locked in and made the Dodgers look silly with a barrage of sweepers and changeups that dipped below the zone.

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He snapped off his trademark sweeper to fan Matt Chapman and retire the side.

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Related Words

• attendant 
• custodian 
• sitter 
• superintendent