swab
word
/ˈswɑb/
/swˈɒb/
Definition
A swab is a small piece of soft material, often on a stick, used for cleaning, applying substances, or collecting samples, especially in a medical context.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used in medical and lab contexts: 'throat swab,' 'nasal swab,' 'swab a wound.' In informal speech, often called 'cotton swab' or by brand names like 'Q-tip.' As a verb, means to clean or collect a sample using a swab.
Spanish: hisopo - torunda - muestra (biológica)Portuguese (BR): cotonete - swab (biológico)Portuguese (PT): cotonete - zaragatoaChinese (Simplified): 棉签 - 拭子Chinese (Traditional): 棉花棒 - 拭子Hindi: रुई की छड़ी - स्वाबArabic: مسحةBengali: সোয়াব - তুলার কাঠিRussian: тампон - мазокJapanese: 綿棒 - スワブ (採取用)Vietnamese: tăm bông - que lấy mẫu (y tế)Korean: 면봉 - 검체 채취용 스왑Turkish: pamuklu çubuk - sürüntü (tıbbi)Urdu: روئی کا جھاڑू - سوابIndonesian: kapas - swab (medis)
Example Sentences
The nurse used a swab to clean the wound.
basic
She took a throat swab during the check-up.
basic
He dipped a swab into the antiseptic solution.
basic
Can you get a COVID swab test today?
natural
Just use a cotton swab to clean your ears gently.
natural
They'll swab your mouth to collect a DNA sample.
natural