swath
UK: swɒθ | US: swɑːθ
n. a broad strip or area of something (e.g., land, fabric, or cut vegetation)
n. a long, wide path or line created by movement or action (e.g., a swath of destruction)
The word "swath" originates from Old English swæþ, meaning "a track or trace," often referring to the strip of grass or grain cut by a scythe. Over time, it broadened to describe any wide strip or area, reflecting its agricultural roots. The spelling and core meaning have remained remarkably stable, though its usage expanded metaphorically (e.g., "a swath of voters").
The farmer cut a wide swath through the wheat field.
The hurricane left a swath of devastation across the coast.
She wore a dress with a bold swath of red across the front.
The new policy affected a broad swath of the population.
The artist painted a swath of blue to represent the sky.