Swallow has 15 different meanings across 3 categories:
Noun · Verb · Proper Noun
the act of swallowing
"one swallow of the liquid was enough"
"he took a drink of his beer and smacked his lips"
small long-winged songbird noted for swift graceful flight and the regularity of its migrations
"The swallow darted across the sky, showcasing its characteristic swift and graceful flight before joining the rest of the flock on its seasonal migration."
A deep chasm or abyss in the earth.
"The swallow darted across the sky, snatching flying insects while hovering gracefully on its long, pointed wings."
A small, migratory bird of the Hirundinidae family with long, pointed, moon-shaped wings and a forked tail which feeds on the wing by catching insects.
In plain English: A swallow is a small bird known for its ability to fly very fast and catch insects mid-air.
"He swallowed his pride and apologized to her."
Usage: Use "swallow" as a noun when referring specifically to small birds that catch insects while flying with forked tails, rather than using it for general large waterfowl like ducks. This term is distinct from similar bird names because of its unique migratory habits and insect-based diet.
enclose or envelop completely, as if by swallowing
"The huge waves swallowed the small boat and it sank shortly thereafter"
To cause (food, drink etc.) to pass from the mouth into the stomach; to take into the stomach through the throat.
"She swallowed the pill with a glass of water."
In plain English: To swallow means to push food down your throat and into your stomach so you can eat it.
"She swallowed her pride and apologized for being late."
A surname.
"The Swallow family has lived in that village for generations."
The word "swallow" comes from Old English swelgan, meaning "to swallow." Its roots trace back to Proto-Indo-European swelk-, which originally meant "to gulp."