To bend to one side, as by excess of weight; hang in a heavy, unsteady manner; lean away from the perpendicular; swag: as, a wall that sways to the west; also, to bend or lean first to one side and then to the other; swing backward and forward.To move or incline to one side, or to one side and then to the other, literally or figuratively; incline to one side, party, etc., or to one and then to the other; vacillate, as judgment or opinion.To have weight or influence; bear rule; govern.To advance steadily.To cause to move backward and forward; wave or swing; hence, to wield with the hand.To cause to bend or move aside; bias, literally or figuratively; cause to lean or incline to one side; prejudice.To rule; govern; influence or direct by power and authority, or by moral force; manage.Nautical, to hoist; raise: particularly said of yards and topmasts.Guide, Direct (see guide), control.n. Inclination; preponderance; movement toward one side or the other, or toward both alternately; swing.n. Weight; force, as of some heavy or powerful agent.n. Rule; control; government: probably in allusion to the sway of the scepter, or of the sword, embodying and illustrating government.n. An instrument of rule or management.n. A switch used by thatchers to bind their Work.