swing

intransitive verb swung, swinging swing′·ing

1. to sway or move backward and forward with regular movement, as a freely hanging object or a ship at anchor; oscillate
2. to walk, trot, etc. with freely swaying, relaxed movements of the limbs
3. to deliver or aim a blow; strike (at)
4. to turn or pivot, as on a hinge or swivel the door swung open
5. to move in a curve, esp. in order to go around something the driver swung around the stalled car
6. 1. to hang; be suspended
   2. Informal to be put to death by hanging
7. to move backward and forward on a swing ()
8. ☆ to have an exciting rhythmic quality music that really swings
9. ☆ Slang to be ultra-fashionable, sophisticated, active, etc., esp. in the pursuit of pleasure
10. Slang
    1. to engage in casual sexual relations, esp. in an open, deliberate way
    2. to exchange partners with other couples and engage in sexual activity: said esp. of married couples

Etymology: ME swingen < OE swingan, akin to Ger schwingen, to brandish < IE base *sweng-, to curve, swing

transitive verb

1. 1. to move or wave (a weapon, tool, bat, etc.) with a sweeping motion; flourish; brandish
   2. to lift or hoist with a sweeping motion
2. to cause (a hanging object) to sway backward and forward; specif., to cause (a person on a swing) to move backward and forward by pushing or pulling the swing
3. to cause to turn or pivot, as on a hinge or swivel to swing a door open
4. to cause to hang freely, so as to be capable of easy movement to swing a hammock
5. to cause to move in a curve to swing a car around a corner
6. to move (a ship or aircraft) through the points of the compass in order to check compass error
7. ☆ Informal to cause to come about successfully; manage with the desired results to swing an election
8. ☆ to play (music) in the style of swing

noun

1. the act or process of swinging
2. the arc, or the length of the arc, through which something swings the swing of a pendulum
3. the manner of swinging; specif., the manner of striking with a golf club, baseball bat, the arm, etc.
4. freedom to do as one wishes or is naturally inclined given full swing in the matter
5. a free, relaxed motion, as in walking
6. a sweeping blow or stroke
7. the course, development, or movement of some activity, business, etc.
8. the power, or force, behind something swung or thrown; impetus
9. rhythm, as of poetry or music
10. a device, as a seat hanging from ropes or chains, on which one can sit and swing backward and forward as a form of amusement
11. a trip or tour a swing around the country
12. ☆ a style of jazz, esp. in its development from about 1935 to 1945, characterized by the use of large bands, fast tempos, and written arrangements for ensemble playing
13. ☆ Business, Informal regular upward and downward change in the price of stocks or in some other business activity

adjective

1. of, in, or playing swing (music)
2. having or likely to have decisive power, as in determining the result of an election the swing vote