Sway

Table of contents

1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Noun 1.3 Verb

English

Pronunciation

• swā, /sweɪ/, /sweI/

  Rhymes: -eɪ

Noun

sway

1. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon.
2. Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of desires.
3. Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.
4. Rule; dominion; control.
5. A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work.

Verb

to sway

1. To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to sway the scepter.
2. To influence or direct by power and authority; by persuasion, or by moral force; to rule; to govern; to guide.
3. To cause to incline or swing to one side, or backward and forward; to bias; to turn; to bend; warp; as, reeds swayed by wind; judgment swayed by passion.
4. To hoist; as, to sway up the yards.
5. To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline.
6. To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward.
7. To have weight or influence.
8. To bear sway; to rule; to govern.