Sweeper

Sweeper is a term used for a person or device whose purpose is to remove debris from surfaces. The word derives from sweep, with the agent noun suffix -er. In everyday language, a sweeper can refer to a person who cleans, or to various types of cleaning implements.

In cleaning equipment, sweepers range from simple hand tools such as brooms and carpet sweepers to modern motorized devices. Carpet sweepers are compact, manual machines with rotating brushes designed to lift dust from carpets. Floor sweepers may be electric and include brushes and a dust container. Street sweepers are large vehicles that travel roads to collect litter and dust, using rotating brushes and vacuum systems; these machines may be fitted with additional controls for different road surfaces and particulate loads.

In sports, sweeper denotes a defensive position in association football (soccer). Often called a libero in certain tactical setups, the sweeper plays behind the defensive line to clear threats and initiate play from the back. The role was prominent in mid-20th century formations and remains a reference point in the historical analysis of football tactics, though it is less common in contemporary standard formations.

The term also appears in broader usage and branding as a metaphor for clearing away problems or unwanted material, and it may be used in various industries to describe tools or roles intended to “sweep” a space or dataset.