sways

Noun

sway (countable and uncountable, plural sways)

1. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; a swing or sweep of a weapon.
2. A rocking or swinging motion.
   • The old song caused a little sway in everyone in the room.
3. Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side
   • I doubt I'll hold much sway with someone so powerful.
4. Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.
5. Rule; dominion; control; power.
   • Prospero:[…]Confederates / (ſo drie he was for Sway) with King of Naples / To giue him Annuall tribute, doe him homage / Subiect his Coronet, to his Crowne and bend / The Dukedom yet vnbow'd (alas poore Millaine) / To moſt ignoble ſtooping.1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published...
6. A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work.

See all 17 meanings of sway