What does "swiss pairing" mean in tournament structure?

Swiss pairing refers to a tournament format that organizes matches based on players' win-loss records. This method ensures that players face opponents with similar performance levels throughout the tournament, fostering fair and competitive matchups. In Swiss-style tournaments, after each round, players are paired with others who have the same or similar number of wins, which helps to accurately gauge skill levels and allows players to compete against others of comparable abilities. This structure typically does not consider factors like age or experience level but focuses solely on how many rounds each player has won, creating a more competitive and engaging environment.