Swarming motility is a form of bacterial movement over solid surfaces, distinct from swimming, twitching, gliding, and sliding. It involves the coordinated movement of multiple cells, powered by rotating flagella, and requires increased flagellar numbers, surfactant production, and cell-cell interactions. Bacteria typically grow as planktonic individuals in liquid environments, but surface-associated bacteria can become highly motile and migrate over substrates. Swarming is often antagonistic to biofilm formation and is regulated differently. Swarming motility is operationally defined as rapid, multicellular surface movement powered by rotating flagella. However, the definition does not fully capture the diversity of swarming phenotypes or the unknowns of the behavior. Swarming requires energy-rich media, surfactants to reduce surface tension, and specific conditions for optimal movement. The number of flagella per cell increases during swarming, and surfactants are crucial for spreading. Swarming is often associated with rafts, dynamic groups of cells that move together. Surfactants, such as surfactin and rhamnolipids, are secreted by some bacteria to facilitate surface spreading. Swarming is also influenced by quorum sensing, which regulates surfactant production based on population density. Swarming motility is a complex behavior with many unanswered questions, including the role of chemotaxis, surface sensing, and force generation. Swarming is also linked to various biological processes, including pathogenesis, bioremediation, and antibiotic resistance. Understanding swarming motility provides insights into bacterial physiology, evolution, and environmental adaptation.Swarming motility is a form of bacterial movement over solid surfaces, distinct from swimming, twitching, gliding, and sliding. It involves the coordinated movement of multiple cells, powered by rotating flagella, and requires increased flagellar numbers, surfactant production, and cell-cell interactions. Bacteria typically grow as planktonic individuals in liquid environments, but surface-associated bacteria can become highly motile and migrate over substrates. Swarming is often antagonistic to biofilm formation and is regulated differently. Swarming motility is operationally defined as rapid, multicellular surface movement powered by rotating flagella. However, the definition does not fully capture the diversity of swarming phenotypes or the unknowns of the behavior. Swarming requires energy-rich media, surfactants to reduce surface tension, and specific conditions for optimal movement. The number of flagella per cell increases during swarming, and surfactants are crucial for spreading. Swarming is often associated with rafts, dynamic groups of cells that move together. Surfactants, such as surfactin and rhamnolipids, are secreted by some bacteria to facilitate surface spreading. Swarming is also influenced by quorum sensing, which regulates surfactant production based on population density. Swarming motility is a complex behavior with many unanswered questions, including the role of chemotaxis, surface sensing, and force generation. Swarming is also linked to various biological processes, including pathogenesis, bioremediation, and antibiotic resistance. Understanding swarming motility provides insights into bacterial physiology, evolution, and environmental adaptation.