swamp

[ swomp ]

noun

1. a tract of wet, spongy land, often having a growth of certain types of trees and other vegetation, but unfit for cultivation.

verb (used with object)

1. to flood or drench with water or the like.
2. Nautical. to sink or fill (a boat) with water.
3. to plunge or cause to sink in or as if in a swamp.
4. to overwhelm, especially to overwhelm with an excess of something:

   He swamped us with work.

5. to render helpless.
6. to remove trees and underbrush from (a specific area), especially to make or cleave a trail (often followed by out ).
7. to trim (felled trees) into logs, as at a logging camp or sawmill.

verb (used without object)

1. to fill with water and sink, as a boat.
2. to sink or be stuck in a swamp or something likened to a swamp.
3. to be plunged into or overwhelmed with something, especially something that keeps one busy, worried, etc.

swamp

/ swɒmp /

noun

1. 1. permanently waterlogged ground that is usually overgrown and sometimes partly forested Compare marsh
   2. ( as modifier )

      swamp fever

verb

1. to drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
2. nautical to cause (a boat) to sink or fill with water or (of a boat) to sink or fill with water
3. to overburden or overwhelm or be overburdened or overwhelmed, as by excess work or great numbers

   we have been swamped with applications

4. to sink or stick or cause to sink or stick in or as if in a swamp
5. tr to render helpless

swamp

/ swŏmp /

1. An area of low-lying wet or seasonally flooded land, often having trees and dense shrubs or thickets.

Derived Forms

• ˈswampy, adjective
• ˈswampish, adjective
• ˈswampless, adjective

Other Words From

• swamp·ish adjective
• un·der·swamp noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of swamp¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Dutch zwamp “creek, fen”; akin to sump and to Middle Low German swamp, Old Norse svǫppr “sponge”

Word History and Origins

Origin of swamp¹

C17: probably from Middle Dutch somp; compare Middle High German sumpf, Old Norse svöppr sponge, Greek somphos spongy

Example Sentences

The Lakers looked as though they were trudging through the swamp — they were slow to rebounds, late to rotations and, uncharacteristically, a mess on offense.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite his status as an avatar of corrupt politicians, Santos sees the controversy around Trump's picks as "the swamp" closing ranks.

From Salon

A second sediment core taken from a swamp in what is now an island off the northwestern coast of Lutruwita may provide clues to the fire starters’ intentions.

From Science Magazine

Another interpretation is that Native American tribes would set beaver traps before the swamps froze, ensuring a supply of warm winter furs.

From BBC

Let me take this moment to thank you for venturing back into the fever swamp of news following the second worst election ever.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bog
• marshland
• morass
• mud
• quagmire