# swing

Pronunciation: say "SWING" /ˈswɪŋ/

## Noun

1. A hanging seat that moves back and forth, found in children's playgrounds, used by circus acrobats, or hung on a porch for relaxing.
   - Simple: A seat that hangs from ropes or chains and moves back and forth as you sit on it.
   - _A rope swing hung from the old oak tree by the river._
   - _The acrobat leapt from one swing to the next high above the crowd._
5. The act of swinging, or a single instance of it.
   - Simple: A single back-and-forth movement of something.
   - _Each swing of the hammer drove the nail deeper._
   - _The boxer's swing missed by inches._
6. The size of a shift from one position, level, or state toward another, as in prices, opinion, or mood.
   - Simple: The amount that something goes up or down.
   - _A sudden swing in oil prices unsettled the markets._
   - _Her mood showed a noticeable swing after the news._
7. The particular manner in which something is swung.
   - Simple: The way that a person swings a bat, club, or arm.
   - _The batter's swing had a slight upward tilt._
   - _Years of training gave the fencer a fluid swing._
9. In an election, the increase or decrease in votes for opposition parties relative to the incumbent party.
   - Simple: In an election, the rise or fall in votes for the other parties compared with the party in power.
   - _The election showed a five-point swing away from the incumbent._
   - _A late swing in the marginal seats decided the result._
13. An energetic, acrobatic partner dance from the late 1930s, also known as the jitterbug or lindy hop.
   - Simple: A lively, acrobatic dance for couples that became popular in the late 1930s.
   - _The band struck up a tune and the floor erupted into swing._
   - _She mastered the swing well enough to compete._
14. The big-band music genre associated with the swing dance style of the late 1930s.
   - Simple: The kind of upbeat big-band music that people dance the swing to.
   - _The orchestra specialized in swing and filled the hall every weekend._
   - _Big-band swing dominated American radio in the late 1930s._
15. The sweep or range covered by a swinging body.
   - Simple: The full distance a swinging object moves through.
   - _The wide swing of the pendulum nearly touched both walls._
   - _Workers measured the swing of the wrecking ball before clearing the area._
16. A boxing punch thrown with the arm more extended than a hook, traveling in a wide arc.
   - Simple: A punch thrown with a wide, sweeping motion of the arm.
   - _The boxer's swing caught his rival on the side of the head._
   - _A wide swing leaves the body exposed to a counterpunch._
19. The total range of variation between the maximum changes in any direction; the largest difference something can reach.
   - Simple: The full difference between the highest and lowest amounts something reaches.
   - _The annual temperature swing in this region exceeds fifty degrees._
   - _Investors worried about the wide swing in the stock's value._
21. A rope, cord, or similar thing hung loosely so that something can move back and forth on it.
   - Simple: A loose rope or cord that hangs down so things can move on it.
   - _A heavy swing of rope dangled from the loft, ready to hoist sacks of grain._
   - _Sailors rigged a swing between the masts to move cargo across the deck._
22. A simple dance figure in which two partners, hands joined, wheel around together in a full circle.
   - Simple: A dance step where two people hold hands and turn in a circle together.
   - _The caller announced a swing, and every couple linked hands to turn together._
   - _She learned the basic swing before moving on to harder steps._
24. The influence or power that something carries once it has been set in motion.
   - Simple: The power or push that something gains once it gets moving.
   - _The reform movement built up such swing that no politician could ignore it._
   - _By midyear the campaign had a swing that carried it through every setback._
27. In musical theater, a performer trained to cover several different roles when the usual cast members are absent.
   - Simple: A performer who is ready to fill in for several different roles in a show.
   - _As the production's swing, she had to memorize the choreography for five roles._
   - _The swing went on at short notice when the lead lost her voice._
30. The sideways movement of a cricket ball as it travels through the air toward the batsman.
   - Simple: The sideways curve of a ball as it moves through the air.
   - _The fast bowler generated late swing that beat the batsman completely._
   - _Overcast conditions helped the swing, and wickets fell quickly._

## Verb

2. To move an object backward and forward through the air, as in waving it.
   - Simple: To move something back and forth through the air.
   - _The conductor swung his baton to bring in the strings._
   - _Guards swing their lanterns to warn approaching ships._
3. To rotate around a fixed point set off-center.
   - Simple: To turn around a fixed point that is not in the center.
   - _A lantern hanging from the porch beam swung in the wind all night._
   - _Heavy gates swing on hinges mounted to one side._
4. To throw one's arm forward or around in the motion of a punch.
   - Simple: To move your arm fast as if throwing a punch.
   - _Fighters swing their fists in tight arcs to conserve energy._
   - _He swung too early and lost his balance._
8. To ride back and forth on a hanging playground seat.
   - Simple: To sit on a hanging seat and move back and forth.
   - _The kids swing on the old tire by the creek._
   - _He swung lazily in the afternoon heat._
10. To turn so as to face or move in a different direction.
   - Simple: To turn suddenly so you face or move a new way.
   - _The boat swung sharply to avoid the rocks._
   - _Runners swing wide on the final bend._
11. To change repeatedly between different levels or states, as values fluctuate.
   - Simple: To go up and down or change often.
   - _Stock values swing daily with investor sentiment._
   - _Public opinion swung sharply after the scandal broke._
12. To shift a vote count or other numerical result, especially so that an election goes the other way.
   - Simple: To change a result, especially the winner of an election.
   - _A strong debate performance can swing undecided voters._
   - _The new evidence swung the verdict in her favor._
17. To dance, moving the body in time with music.
   - Simple: To move your body to music, or to dance.
   - _The dancers swing energetically as the music speeds up._
   - _By midnight the whole wedding party was swinging to the brass band._
18. To have a particular sexual orientation, especially regarding which genders one is attracted to.
   - Simple: To be attracted to men, women, or both.
   - _When friends asked which way he swings, he just smiled and changed the subject._
   - _Plenty of people swing both ways without putting a label on it._
20. To turn a dance partner around in a small circle while holding hands or arms.
   - Simple: To turn your partner around in a small circle while holding hands.
   - _The dancers swing their partners in time with the music._
   - _He swung his wife around as the fiddle played._
23. To manage to make something happen, especially to afford it financially. *(slang)*
   - Simple: To manage to do or pay for something difficult.
   - _They managed to swing a weekend trip despite their tight budget._
   - _I don't think we can swing both tuition and a mortgage._
25. To play paired notes with the first slightly longer and the second shorter, creating a bouncy, uneven rhythm.
   - Simple: To play pairs of notes unevenly, making the first longer and the second shorter for a bouncy feel.
   - _The pianist swings the eighth notes to give the tune its lazy, rolling feel._
   - _Beginners often forget to swing the rhythm and play everything straight._
26. To take part in the lifestyle of swapping sexual partners, especially as a couple with other couples.
   - Simple: To take part in swapping sexual partners with other couples.
   - _The couple began to swing after years of curiosity about the lifestyle._
   - _Many partners who swing insist on clear ground rules beforehand._
28. To be put to death by hanging; more loosely, to be severely punished for something.
   - Simple: To be killed by hanging as a punishment, or to be punished very hard for something.
   - _The captured highwayman knew he would swing at dawn._
   - _If the boss finds out about this, you'll swing for it._
29. To mount a door, gate, or similar object on hinges so that it can move freely back and forth.
   - Simple: To fit a door or gate onto hinges so it can move freely.
   - _The crew swung the heavy oak door on its iron hinges._
   - _Before painting, you must swing the gate to check that it clears the post._

## Other meanings

- (verb) Of a bowled ball, to curve sideways through the air.
- (verb) In cricket, to bowl the ball so that it drifts to one side as it flies through the air.
- (verb) Of a lathe, to have room to take and rotate a workpiece of a given size.
- (verb) Of a ship at anchor, to turn around as wind or tide shifts it.
- (noun) The capacity of a lathe, given as the widest workpiece it can rotate.
- (noun) Freedom to act as one likes, with nothing holding one back.

## Origin

From Middle English swyngen, from Old English swingan, from Proto-West Germanic *swingan and Proto-Germanic *swinganą (compare German schwingen and Dutch zwingen), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *swenk-, *sweng-.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/swing (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).