Broom vs. Sweep — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 7, 2024
A broom is a cleaning tool with stiff fibers, while sweep refers to the action of cleaning or moving with a broom or similar tool.
Difference Between Broom and Sweep
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A broom is traditionally made with stiff fibers attached to a long handle, used for cleaning floors, streets, and other surfaces by removing dirt and debris. On the other hand, sweep is the action performed with a broom or similar tool, involving moving the broom across a surface to collect and remove dirt or debris.
Brooms come in various types, including push brooms for large, flat areas and traditional upright brooms for more precise cleaning tasks. Sweep, as an action, can be applied in different contexts beyond cleaning, such as to describe a wide-ranging motion or a comprehensive win in sports.
The materials used for broom bristles can vary, including natural fibers like corn husks and synthetic fibers like plastic. This affects the broom's effectiveness for different surfaces and types of debris. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of sweeping depends on both the broom's design and the technique used by the person performing the action.
Brooms are often designed for specific environments, such as indoor soft bristles for delicate floors or outdoor stiff bristles for rough surfaces. The sweeping action, accordingly, is adjusted based on the surface being cleaned and the type of broom used, from gentle sweeps for light dust to vigorous sweeps for heavy debris.
In cultural contexts, brooms have various symbolic meanings, including cleanliness, domestic life, and even witchcraft in folklore. The act of sweeping carries its own symbolism, often related to clearing away old for the new, such as in traditions involving sweeping before the New Year for a fresh start.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A cleaning tool
The action of using a broom
Types
Push brooms, upright brooms
No types, but methods vary
Material
Natural fibers, synthetic fibers
Not applicable
Usage Context
Cleaning floors, outdoor areas
Cleaning, moving debris, symbolic acts
Symbolism
Cleanliness, domestic life, witchcraft
Clearing away, preparation for new
Compare with Definitions
Broom
A cleaning tool with stiff fibers for sweeping.
She grabbed the broom to clean the kitchen floor.
Sweep
The action of cleaning using a broom or similar tool.
He made a quick sweep of the garage to clear the leaves.
Broom
Made from natural or synthetic materials.
His new broom used synthetic fibers that effectively picked up pet hair.
Sweep
Carries symbolic meanings.
They perform a thorough sweep of the house before New Year's for good luck.
Broom
Can be used in various settings.
She used a soft-bristled broom to gently clean the hardwood floors.
Sweep
Depends on technique and surface.
She used a gentle sweep on the delicate rug to avoid damage.
Broom
Symbolic in many cultures.
In their wedding ceremony, they jumped over a broom to symbolize sweeping away their old single lives.
Sweep
Can refer to a wide range of motions.
With a swift sweep of his arm, he cleared the desk.
Broom
Varies in design for specific uses.
The outdoor broom's stiff bristles made it easy to sweep the sidewalk.
Sweep
Used in various contexts beyond cleaning.
The team's victory was a clean sweep in the tournament.
Broom
A broom (also known in some forms as a broomstick) is a cleaning tool consisting of usually stiff fibers (often made of materials such as plastic, hair, or corn husks) attached to, and roughly parallel to, a cylindrical handle, the broomstick. It is thus a variety of brush with a long handle.
Sweep
To clean or clear, as of dirt, with a broom or brush
Sweep a chimney.
Broom
An implement used for sweeping, typically consisting of a bunch of stiff synthetic fibers or broomcorn stalks, or formerly twigs or straw, bound together and attached to a handle.
Sweep
To clear away with a broom or brush
Swept snow from the steps.
Broom
Any of various European and North African shrubs of the genus Cytisus in the pea family, especially C. scoparius, having mostly compound leaves with three leaflets and showy, usually bright yellow flowers.
Sweep
To clear (a path or space) with a broom or brush.
Broom
Any of several similar or related shrubs, especially in the genera Genista and Spartium.
Sweep
To search thoroughly
The counselors swept the dormitory during the fire drill.
Broom
To sweep with a broom.
Sweep
To search for and remove (electronic eavesdropping devices) from a place
Swept the room for bugs.
Broom
(countable) A domestic utensil with fibers bound together at the end of a long handle, used for sweeping.
Sweep
To touch or brush lightly, as with a trailing garment
Willow branches sweeping the ground.
Broom
An implement with which players sweep the ice to make a stone travel further and curl less; a sweeper.
Sweep
To pass over or through a surface or medium with a continuous movement
He swept the sponge over the tile. The conductor swept her baton through the air.
Broom
Any of several yellow-flowered shrubs of the family Fabaceae, in the tribe Genisteae, including genera Cytisus, Genista, and Spartium, with long, thin branches and small or few leaves.
Sweep
To clear, drive, or convey with relentless force
The flood waters swept away everything in their path.
Broom
A shotgun, because it is more or less long, held similarly to a besom and “cleans” what is in front.
Sweep
To wipe out at a single stroke. Often used with away
The incident in effect swept away all her dreams.
Broom
To sweep with a broom.
Sweep
To remove or carry off with a swift brushing motion
Swept the cards off the table.
Swept the child into his arms.
Broom
(roofing) To improve the embedding of a membrane by using a broom or squeegee to smooth it out and ensure contact with the adhesive under the membrane.
Sweep
To move across or through swiftly or broadly
News of the lunar landing swept the country.
Broom
(metaphor) to get rid of someone, like firing an employee or breaking up with a girlfriend, to sweep another out of one's life
Sweep
To pass quickly across, as when searching
His gaze swept the horizon.
Broom
A plant having twigs suitable for making brooms to sweep with when bound together; esp., the Cytisus scoparius of Western Europe, which is a low shrub with long, straight, green, angular branches, minute leaves, and large yellow flowers.
No gypsy cowered o'er fires of furze and broom.
Sweep
To drag the bottom of (a body of water).
Broom
An implement for sweeping floors, etc., commonly made of the panicles or tops of broom corn, bound together or attached to a long wooden handle; - so called because originally made of the twigs of the broom.
Sweep
To win all games in (a series) or all stages of (a contest)
Swept the World Series.
Broom
See Bream.
Sweep
To win overwhelmingly in
The opposition party swept the election.
Broom
A cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
Sweep
To clean or clear a surface with a broom or brush.
Broom
Any of various shrubs of the genera Cytisus or Genista or Spartium having long slender branches and racemes of yellow flowers
Sweep
To search an area for something.
Broom
Common Old World heath represented by many varieties; low evergreen grown widely in the northern hemisphere
Sweep
To search for and remove electronic eavesdropping devices.
Broom
Sweep with a broom or as if with a broom;
Sweep the crumbs off the table
Sweep under the bed
Sweep
To move swiftly or broadly
The wind swept over the plain.
Broom
Finish with a broom
Sweep
To move swiftly in a lofty manner, as if in a trailing robe
She swept by in silence.
Sweep
To trail, as a long garment.
Sweep
To extend gracefully, especially in a long curve
The hills sweep down to the sea.
Sweep
To extend in a wide range
Searchlights swept across the sky.
Sweep
A clearing out or removal with a broom or brush.
Sweep
A thorough search of an area
A police sweep for drug dealers.
Sweep
A search for and removal of electronic eavesdropping devices, as in a room.
Sweep
A wide curving motion
A sweep of the arm.
Sweep
A curve or contour that resembles the path of sweeping motion
The sweep of her hair.
Sweep
An extent or stretch
A sweep of green lawn.
Sweep
Range or scope
The broad sweep of history.
Sweep
(Football) An end run in which one or more linemen leave the line of scrimmage and block in advance of the ball carrier.
Sweep
One who sweeps, especially a chimney sweep.
Sweep
Sweeps Sweepings.
Sweep
The winning of all stages of a game or contest.
Sweep
An overwhelming victory or success.
Sweep
A long oar used to propel a boat.
Sweep
A long pole attached to a pivot and used to raise or lower a bucket in a well.
Sweep
Sweeps (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Informal Sweepstakes.
Sweep
Sweeps The period each fall, winter, and spring when television ratings are accrued and studied and advertising rates are reset.
Sweep
The national survey of local stations that is conducted to determine these ratings.
Sweep
The steady motion of an electron beam across a cathode-ray tube.
Sweep
(transitive) To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush.
To sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney
Sweep
(intransitive) To move through a (horizontal) arc or similar long stroke.
The wind sweeps across the plain.
The offended countess swept out of the ballroom.
Sweep
(transitive) To search (a place) methodically.
Sweep
To travel quickly.
Sweep
(cricket) To play a sweep shot.
Sweep
(curling) To brush the ice in front of a moving stone, causing it to travel farther and to curl less.
Sweep
To move something in a long sweeping motion, as a broom.
Sweep
To win (a series) without drawing or losing any of the games in that series.
Sweep
To defeat (a team) in a series without drawing or losing any of the games in that series.
Sweep
(military) To clear (a body of water or part thereof) of mines.
The channel was swept twice before the battlefleet proceeded through it.
Sweep
(transitive) To remove something abruptly and thoroughly.
She swept the peelings off the table onto the floor.
The wind sweeps the snow from the hills.
The flooded river swept away the wooden dam.
Sweep
To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
Sweep
To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
Sweep
To strike with a long stroke.
Sweep
(rowing) To row with one oar to either the port or starboard side.
Sweep
(nautical) To draw or drag something over.
To sweep the bottom of a river with a net
Sweep
To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation.
To sweep the heavens with a telescope
Sweep
To vacuum a carpet or rug.
Sweep
A single action of sweeping.
Give the front steps a quick sweep to get rid of those fallen leaves.
Sweep
The person who steers a dragon boat.
Sweep
A person who stands at the stern of a surf boat, steering with a steering oar and commanding the crew.
Sweep
A chimney sweep.
Sweep
A methodical search, typically for bugs electronic listening devices.
Sweep
(cricket) A batsman's shot, played from a kneeling position with a swinging horizontal bat.
Bradman attempted a sweep, but in fact top edged the ball to the wicket keeper
Sweep
A lottery, usually on the results of a sporting event, where players win if their randomly chosen team wins.
Jim will win fifty dollars in the office sweep if Japan wins the World Cup.
Sweep
A flow of water parallel to shore caused by wave action at an ocean beach or at a point or headland.
Sweep
(aviation) The degree to which an aircraft's wings are angled backwards (or, occasionally, forwards) from their attachments to the fuselage.
The MiG-17's inner wing has 45 degrees of sweep.
Sweep
(martial arts) A throw or takedown that primarily uses the legs to attack an opponent's legs.
Sweep
Violent and general destruction.
The sweep of an epidemic disease
Sweep
(metalworking) A movable template for making moulds, in loam moulding.
Sweep
(card games) In the game casino, the act of capturing all face-up cards from the table.
Sweep
The compass of any turning body or of any motion.
The sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye
Sweep
Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, etc. away from a rectilinear line.
Sweep
A large oar used in small vessels, partly to propel them and partly to steer them.
Sweep
(rowing) A rowing style in which each rower rows with oar on either the port or starboard side.
I am primarily a sweep rower.
Sweep
The almond furnace.
Sweep
A long pole, or piece of timber, moved on a horizontal fulcrum fixed to a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well for drawing water.
Sweep
Any of the blades of a windmill.
Sweep
(in the plural) The sweepings of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc.
Sweep
Any of several sea chubs in the family Kyphosidae (subfamily Scorpidinae).
Sweep
An expanse or a swath, a strip of land.
Sweep
To pass a broom across (a surface) so as to remove loose dirt, dust, etc.; to brush, or rub over, with a broom for the purpose of cleaning; as, to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney. Used also figuratively.
I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.
Sweep
To drive or carry along or off with a broom or a brush, or as if with a broom; to remove by, or as if by, brushing; as, to sweep dirt from a floor; the wind sweeps the snow from the hills; a freshet sweeps away a dam, timber, or rubbish; a pestilence sweeps off multitudes.
The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies.
I have already swept the stakes.
Sweep
To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
Their long descending train,With rubies edged and sapphires, swept the plain.
Sweep
To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
And like a peacock sweep along his tail.
Sweep
To strike with a long stroke.
Wake into voice each silent string,And sweep the sounding lyre.
Sweep
To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the bottom of a river with a net.
Sweep
To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a telescope.
Sweep
To clean rooms, yards, etc., or to clear away dust, dirt, litter, etc., with a broom, brush, or the like.
Sweep
To brush swiftly over the surface of anything; to pass with switness and force, as if brushing the surface of anything; to move in a stately manner; as, the wind sweeps across the plain; a woman sweeps through a drawing-room.
Sweep
To pass over anything comprehensively; to range through with rapidity; as, his eye sweeps through space.
Sweep
The act of sweeping.
Sweep
The compass or range of a stroke; as, a long sweep.
Sweep
The compass of any turning body or of any motion; as, the sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye.
Sweep
The compass of anything flowing or brushing; as, the flood carried away everything within its sweep.
Sweep
Violent and general destruction; as, the sweep of an epidemic disease.
Sweep
Direction and extent of any motion not rectlinear; as, the sweep of a compass.
Sweep
Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, or the like, away from a rectlinear line.
The road which makes a small sweep.
Sweep
One who sweeps; a sweeper; specifically, a chimney sweeper.
Sweep
A movable templet for making molds, in loam molding.
Sweep
The mold of a ship when she begins to curve in at the rungheads; any part of a ship shaped in a segment of a circle.
Sweep
The almond furnace.
Sweep
A long pole, or piece of timber, moved on a horizontal fulcrum fixed to a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well for drawing water.
Sweep
In the game of casino, a pairing or combining of all the cards on the board, and so removing them all; in whist, the winning of all the tricks (thirteen) in a hand; a slam.
Sweep
The sweeping of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc.
Sweep
A wide scope;
The sweep of the plains
Sweep
Someone who cleans soot from chimneys
Sweep
Winning all or all but one of the tricks in bridge
Sweep
A long oar used in an open boat
Sweep
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line
Sweep
A movement in an arc;
A sweep of his arm
Sweep
Sweep across or over;
Her long skirt brushed the floor
A gasp swept cross the audience
Sweep
Move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions;
The diva swept into the room
Shreds of paper sailed through the air
The searchlights swept across the sky
Sweep
Sweep with a broom or as if with a broom;
Sweep the crumbs off the table
Sweep under the bed
Sweep
Force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action;
They were swept up by the events
Don't drag me into this business
Sweep
To cover or extend over an area or time period;
Rivers traverse the valley floor
The parking lot spans 3 acres
The novel spans three centuries
Sweep
Clean by sweeping;
Please sweep the floor
Sweep
Win an overwhelming victory in or on;
Her new show dog swept all championships
Sweep
Cover the entire range of
Sweep
Make a big sweeping gesture or movement
Common Curiosities
Can the term 'sweep' be used in contexts other than cleaning?
Yes, 'sweep' can describe a wide-ranging motion, a comprehensive win in sports, or any broad, continuous movement.
What is a broom used for?
A broom is used for sweeping up dirt and debris from floors and other surfaces.
What does it mean to sweep a room?
It means to use a broom or similar tool to clean the room by removing dirt, dust, and debris.
What is the importance of sweeping technique?
Proper technique ensures efficient cleaning, prevents damage to surfaces, and reduces strain on the body.
Is sweeping always done with a broom?
While commonly associated with brooms, sweeping can also be performed with other tools like brushes and even mechanical sweepers.
What is a push broom?
A push broom has a long handle and wide bristle base, designed for cleaning large, flat surfaces with pushing motions.
How does the material of a broom's bristles affect its use?
The material determines the broom's suitability for different surfaces and types of debris, with softer bristles for indoor use and stiffer bristles for outdoors.
Are there different types of brooms for indoor and outdoor use?
Yes, indoor brooms typically have softer bristles for delicate surfaces, while outdoor brooms have stiffer bristles for rougher surfaces.
Can a broom be symbolic?
Yes, brooms carry symbolic meanings in various cultures, such as cleanliness, domestic life, and even witchcraft.
How do I choose the right broom?
Consider the surface you'll be cleaning, the type of debris, and whether you'll be using it indoors or outdoors to choose the appropriate bristle type and broom design.
What's the difference between sweeping and mopping?
Sweeping removes loose dirt and debris from surfaces, while mopping involves using water or cleaning solution to remove stuck-on dirt and sanitize.
Can sweeping be an outdoor activity?
Yes, sweeping is often done outdoors to clear sidewalks, driveways, and patios of leaves, dirt, and other debris.
Why is sweeping before the New Year significant in some cultures?
It symbolizes clearing away the old and making room for new opportunities and good fortune in the coming year.
How often should I sweep my floors?
Frequency depends on foot traffic, the presence of pets, and personal cleanliness standards, but many recommend at least once a week for general areas.
Can brooms damage surfaces?
Using the wrong type of broom or improper sweeping technique can scratch or damage sensitive surfaces, so it's important to choose the right broom and use it correctly.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
