szew

Szew is a Polish noun meaning seam or stitch, used to describe the line where two pieces of material are joined by sewing. It applies to textiles, leatherwork, and upholstery, and is a fundamental concept in garment construction, tailoring, and sewing. The term can refer to both the finished seam and the act of sewing a seam. In Polish, the plural szwy is used to refer to multiple seams; a seam is often described by its position or technique in context.

The word is of native Polish origin and has cognates in other Slavic languages; it is also the root of related occupational terms such as szewc (shoemaker), reflecting historical crafts where seams and stitching were essential. The connection to shoemaking underscores the seam's central role in the production of footwear.

Szew also appears as a surname in Poland. People bearing the surname Szew may be found in various fields; as a surname, it is related to the literal seam through its origin as an occupational or descriptive nickname.