broom

 
Pronunciation: /bruːm/

noun

  • 1a long-handled brush of bristles or twigs, used for sweeping.
  • an implement for sweeping the ice in the game of curling.
  • 2a flowering shrub with long, thin green stems and small or few leaves, cultivated for its profusion of flowers.
    • Cytisus, Genista, and related genera, family Leguminosae: many species and cultivars

Phrases

a new broom sweeps clean

proverb people newly appointed to positions of responsibility tend to make far-reaching changes: the company seems set to make a fresh start under a new broom

Origin:

Old English brōm (in broom (sense 2)), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch braam, also to bramble