swab
/swɒb/ (bre, ipa) · [swˈɑb] /swɑːb/ (ame, ipa) · [swˈɑb] /ˈswäb How to pronounce swab (audio)/ (ame, mw)
swab — noun
- swabsingular
- swabsplural
1. a small soft pad, often fixed to a short stick, used to clean a wound, put medic
a small soft pad, often fixed to a short stick, used to clean a wound, put medicine on the skin, or gather material from a person's body for testing; it can also mean the material collected in this way
The nurse opened a sterile swab before cleaning the cut on Nadia's knee.
sterile swab — wound-care context
Omar's throat swab was sent to the lab to check for infection.
throat swab — collected test sample
The doctor pressed a medicated swab onto the burn near Christopher's wrist.
After the test, Vivek asked when the nasal swab results would be ready.
- applicator
focuses on putting medicine on a surface, not on taking a sample
- specimen
only refers to the collected material, not the soft tool
文法句型
a/an + swab
[throat/nasal/alcohol] swab
用法筆記
Often used in medical or first-aid contexts. It can name the soft tool itself or the material collected with it, as in throat swab or nasal swab.
2. a short stick with a soft tip at one or both ends, used for cleaning very small
a short stick with a soft tip at one or both ends, used for cleaning very small areas or putting on something carefully
Sayaka used a cotton swab to clean the corners of the keyboard.
cotton swab — household cleaning use
Allison fixed her eyeliner with a damp swab after the line slipped.
Ayana rubbed sunscreen under her eyes with a small swab.
The jeweler polished the tiny silver clasp with a swab and alcohol.
- cotton bud
the common British term for this everyday item
- applicator
broader term for a small tool used to apply a substance
文法句型
a/an + swab
cotton swab
用法筆記
Usually refers to the small household or beauty item often called a cotton swab. Distinguish from sense 1, which is the medical or testing tool.
swab — verb
- swabpresent simple I / you / we / they
- swabs3rd person singular
- swabbing-ing form
- swabbedpast simple
1. to clean a wound, put medicine on the skin, or take a test sample by using a sma
to clean a wound, put medicine on the skin, or take a test sample by using a small soft pad or stick
The nurse swabbed Leo's throat before sending the sample to the lab.
swab + body part for testing
After the fall, Sivan swabbed the scrape with antiseptic and a clean pad.
The vet swabbed the dog's ear to find the cause of the infection.
Before the injection, the doctor swabbed Andres's arm with alcohol.
文法句型
swab + wound/body part
swab + object + with + liquid
用法筆記
The object is usually a wound or body part. Common with with + alcohol or antiseptic when cleaning, or without a liquid when taking a test sample.
2. to wash a broad surface by wiping it with a wet cloth, a mop, or a similar tool,
to wash a broad surface by wiping it with a wet cloth, a mop, or a similar tool, especially on a ship
At dawn, the sailors swabbed the deck before the passengers came up.
swab the deck — nautical cleaning use
After the storm, Cole swabbed the wet floor near the cabin door.
Two crew members were swabbing the bridge when the captain returned.
The cleaner swabbed the stone steps with hot water and soap.
- dirty
to make a surface unclean instead of washing it
文法句型
swab + deck/floor/surface
用法筆記
Most often appears in fixed expressions like swab the deck. Outside ship-cleaning contexts, this sense can sound old-fashioned or literary.