verb | noun
swingswing1 /swɪŋ/ ●●● S3 W3 verb (past tense and past participle swung /swʌŋ/) 1MOVE FROM A FIXED POINT [intransitive, transitive] to move backward and forward or side to side from a particular point, or to make something do this: The sign was swinging in the wind. Two boys sat on the table, swinging their legs. The gate swung gently back and forth.2MOVE IN A CURVE [intransitive always + adv./prep., transitive always + adv./prep.] to move quickly in a smooth curve, or to make something move like this: swing open/shut The heavy door swung shut.swing something through/into/around etc. something Pat swung the bag over his shoulder and left.3TRY TO HIT [intransitive, transitive] to move your arm or something you are holding to try to hit someone or something: Rickey swung his fist and hit Tom on the chin.swing at I swung at the ball and missed.swing something at somebody/something She swung her bag at him.4CHANGE QUICKLY [intransitive, transitive] if emotions, opinions, or situations swing or something swings them, they change quickly to the opposite of what they were: swing from something to something Her mood would swing from joy to despair.swing to the left/right (=become more politically liberal or conservative)5VEHICLE [intransitive always + adv./prep., transitive always + adv./prep.] if a vehicle swings or its driver swings it in a particular direction, it turns or moves in a curve in that direction: A black car swung into the driveway.6PLAY [intransitive] to sit on a swing and make it move backward and forward by bending your legs: Let’s see who can swing the highest.7ARRANGE something [transitive] spoken to make arrangements for something to happen, although it takes a lot of effort to do this: I’ll come over Friday if I can swing it.8MUSIC [intransitive] informal if music swings, it has a strong, enjoyable rhythm9swing into action to suddenly begin work that needs to be done, using a lot of energy and effort: The medical team arrived and swung into action.10be swinging old-fashioned informal to be fun, exciting, and enjoyable11somebody swings both ways informal used to say that someone is bisexual[Origin: Old English swingan to beat, go quickly] → see also there’s not enough room to swing a cat at room1 (4), the swinging sixties at swinging (2)swing around phrasal verb1 swing something ↔ around to turn around quickly or make something turn around quickly, to face in the opposite direction: She swung around to face him. He swung the boat around and headed for shore.2 if a wind swings around, it changes direction suddenly and quicklyswing by phrasal verb swing by something informal to visit a place or person for a short time, usually for a particular purpose: I told Tom I might swing by later.swing for something phrasal verb old-fashioned to be killed by hanging as a punishment for a crimeswing through phrasal verb swing through something informal to visit a place very quickly, especially as part of a larger trip: He swung through Seattle last week as part of a promotional tour. verb | noun
swingswing2 ●●○ noun 1
SEAT WITH ROPES [countable] a)a seat hanging from ropes or chains, that children sit on and make move forward and backward through the air: Hannah loves to play on the swings. b)a seat big enough for two or more people that hangs from ropes or chains: a porch swing2ATTEMPT TO HIT [countable] a curved movement made with your arm, a weapon, etc., especially in order to hit something: swing of He split the log with one swing of the ax. Jackson took a swing at (=tried to hit) the other man.3CHANGE [countable] a large change, especially in opinions, ideas, or feelings: swing to/toward/away from a political swing to the leftswing in a dramatic swing in public opinion → see also mood swing4BASEBALL/GOLF [singular] the swinging movement of your arms and body when you hit the ball in baseball or golf5MUSIC [uncountable] eng. lang. arts jazz music of the 1930s and 1940s, usually played by a big band, or a dance done to this music6be in the swing of something (also get into the swing of something) informal to be or become fully involved in an activity or situation: I’ll need your help until I get into the swing of things.7the swing of something a regular continuous movement from side to side: the swing of a pendulum8a swing through something a trip in which you visit several places within an area in a short time: a three-day swing through southern California → see also in full swing at full1 (9)