swathe¹ /sweɪð $ swɑːð, swɒːð, sweɪð/ (also swath /swɒθ $ swɑːθ/) noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: swæth 'footstep, track']

1. a long thin area of something, especially land
swathe of
The bomb had left a swathe of the town centre in ruins.
A swathe of sunlight lay across the floor.

2. a long thin area of grass or plants that has been cut down:
We cut a swathe through the dense undergrowth.

3. cut a swathe through something to destroy a large amount or part of something

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲