sweeping

Universal Words adjective 1 [usuallybeforenoun] having an important effect on a large part of sth: sweeping reforms / changes * Security forces were given sweeping powers to search homes. * a sweeping programme of reorganization 2 [usuallybeforenoun] (disapproving) too general and failing to think about or understand particular examples: a sweeping generalization / statement 3 ~ victory a victory by a large number of votes, etc. 4 [onlybeforenoun] forming a curved shape: a sweeping gesture (= with your hand or arm) * a sweeping staircase