sweeper

American  

[swee-per] / ˈswi pər /

noun

1. a person or thing that sweeps.

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.

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sweeper British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of sweeper

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

Example Sentences

This was the dream scenario: baseball’s very best, edgy crowd, one-run game, two outs, a title on the line—and Ohtani getting the better of his pal on a filthy 3-2 sweeper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

As the camera follows a suburban Chicago street sweeper along its early morning route, it stops at a modest house, perched on the other side of the train tracks.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

Homes have been evacuated after a sinkhole believed to be from an old mine opened up and swallowed a road sweeper.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Armstrong’s arm remains strong and his sweeper has been nearly unhittable, with opponents batting .080 against it.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025

Outside the sweeper has landed on something metal, maybe a coin.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• attendant
• custodian
• sitter
• superintendent