Swab
Pronunciation
- enPR: swÅb, IPA: /swÉ’b/
- Rhymes: -É’b
Full definition of swab
Noun
swab
(plural swabs)- (medicine) a small piece of soft, absorbent material, such as gauze, used to clean wounds, apply medicine, or take samples of body fluids. Often attached to a stick or wire to aid access.
- A sample taken with a swab (1).
- A piece of material used for cleaning or sampling other items like musical instruments or guns.
- A mop, especially on a ship.
- (slang) A sailor; a swabby.
Synonyms
- (sailor) swabby
Verb
- (transitive) To use a swab on something, or clean something with a swab.
- 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, Mr. Pratt's Patients Chapter 6, He had one hand on the bounce bottle—and he'd never let go of that since he got back to the table—but he had a handkerchief in the other and was swabbing his deadlights with it.
- swab the deck of a ship