Dictionary definition · swallow
noun
- a small amount of liquid food"a sup of ale"
- the act of swallowing"one swallow of the liquid was enough"
- small long-winged songbird noted for swift graceful flight and the regularity of its migrations
verb
- pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking"Swallow the raw fish — it won't kill you!"
- engulf and destroy"The Nazis swallowed the Baltic countries"
- enclose or envelop completely, as if by swallowing"The huge waves swallowed the small boat and it sank shortly thereafter"
- utter unclearly"She swallowed the last words of her speech"
- take back what one has said"He swallowed his words"
- keep from expressing"I swallowed my anger and kept quiet"
- tolerate or accommodate oneself to"I shall have to accept these unpleasant working conditions"
- believe or accept without questioning or challenge"Am I supposed to swallow that story?"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).