Illustration of swan
- swan 1
plural swans
1
plural also swan
: any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked mostly pure white aquatic birds (family Anatidae, especially genus Cygnus) that have webbed feet and are related to but larger than the geese
2
: one that resembles or is likened to a swan
3
capitalized
: the constellation Cygnus
Examples of swan in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Eventually, the swan was backed up against a median barrier as at least seven people stood nearby, monitoring the situation, before it was swaddled up into a large blanket.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
EW.com, 27 Oct. 2023
The music video, in which Tay swans around a Malibu mansion in a pastel two-piece, was more controversial.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for swan
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
They are known for forming strong monogamous bonds, and when a mate dies, the surviving swan may go through a period of mourning, often showing signs of distress and isolation.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Eventually, the swan was backed up against a median barrier as at least seven people stood nearby, monitoring the situation, before it was swaddled up into a large blanket.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
This season reaches its pinnacle of camp with a visit from Oscar Wilde himself (Jordan Sebastian Waller), who swans through a crowd of Manhattan elite dropping droll asides after the premiere of his first play, Vera; or, The Nihilists.
—EW.com, 27 Oct. 2023
The music video, in which Tay swans around a Malibu mansion in a pastel two-piece, was more controversial.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for swan
Cite this Entry
“Swan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swan. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share