The curling broom is used to sweep the ice surface in front of the rock. Aggressive sweeping momentarily melts the ice, which lessens friction, which lessens the deceleration of the rock and can straighten the trajectory of the rock. The skip will also hold a broom at the opposite end of the rink from the delivering player to show the deliverer where to aim the rock.

In earlier days, brooms were made of corn strands and were similar to household brooms. Brushes were primarily used by elderly curlers as a substitute for corn brooms. Today, brushes have replaced traditional corn brooms at every level of curling, but are universally referred to as brooms.