Swipe refers to the action of quickly and smoothly moving one’s finger or hand across a touch screen or other surface, typically in a horizontal or vertical motion. This gesture is commonly used to navigate through digital content, such as scrolling through a webpage or swiping through photos. It can also refer to the act of sliding a credit or debit card through a card reader to make a payment. In a more informal context, swipe can also mean to steal or take something quickly and discreetly, often without permission.