stroke

1 of 3

verb (1)

stroked; stroking

transitive verb

1
: to rub gently in one direction
also : caress
2
: to flatter or pay attention to in a manner designed to reassure or persuade
stroker noun

stroke

2 of 3

noun

1
: the act of striking
especially : a blow with a weapon or implement
2
: a single unbroken movement
especially : one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements
3
a
: a controlled swing intended to hit a ball or shuttlecock
also : a striking of the ball
b
: such a stroke charged to a player as a unit of scoring in golf
4
a
: a sudden action or process producing an impact
a stroke of lightning
b
: an unexpected result
a stroke of luck
the idea was a stroke of inspiration
a master stroke of diplomacy
5
: sudden impairment or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion that is caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel supplying the brain, and is accompanied by permanent damage of brain tissue

Note: Symptoms of stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body or face, confusion, impaired speech or vision, loss of coordination or balance, trouble walking, or severe headache.

called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebrovascular accident

compare ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack
6
a
: one of a series of propelling beats or movements against a resisting medium
a stroke of the oar
b
: a rower who sets the pace for a crew
7
a
: a vigorous or energetic effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished
a stroke of genius
a brilliant diplomatic stroke
b
: a delicate or clever touch in a narrative, description, or construction
8
9
: the movement in either direction of a mechanical part (such as a piston) having a reciprocating motion
also : the distance of such movement
10
: the sound of a bell being struck
at the stroke of twelve
also : the specific time indicated by or as if by such a sound
11
[stroke entry 1] : an act of stroking or caressing
12
a
: a mark or dash made by a single movement of an implement
b
: one of the lines of a letter of the alphabet

stroke

3 of 3

verb (2)

stroked; stroking

transitive verb

1
a
: to mark with a short line
stroke the t's
b
: to cancel by drawing a line through
stroked out his name
2
: to set the stroke for (a rowing crew)
also : to set the stroke for the crew of (a rowing boat)
3
sports : to hit, kick, or shoot (a ball) with a smooth movement
stroke a putt
stroked a single to left field

intransitive verb

1
: to execute a stroke
2
: to row at a certain number of strokes a minute
Phrases
at a stroke
: all at once
spent her savings at a stroke

Examples of stroke in a Sentence

Verb (1) the young mother gently stroked the sleeping child's brow and then leaned over and kissed him a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors Noun He had a stroke last winter. She has a strong backhand stroke. He is ahead by two strokes. She swims with long, smooth strokes. the stroke of an oar She knows the four basic strokes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Over time, atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk substantially and can also lead to heart failure.6 Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a condition that causes the heart muscle to become weaker. Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024 Doing so can include stroking the back of the neck, using the thumb to massage a spot on the palm or stroking the upper arms like a hug. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
Unbeknownst to many, Princess Grace, who died in 1982 at the age of 52 in a car accident after suffering a stroke. Janine Henni, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet suffered a debilitating stroke while on tour in mid-October, it was revealed on Tuesday, when a representative for his management company posted a fundraising appeal on GoFundMe to support his recovery. Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stroke 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stroke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English strācian; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke — more at strike

Noun

Middle English; akin to Old English strīcan to stroke — more at strike

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stroke was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stroke

Cite this Entry

“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stroke. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

stroke

1 of 3 verb
stroked; stroking
1
: to rub gently in one direction
2
: to pass the hand over gently in kindness or tenderness
stroker noun

stroke

2 of 3 noun
1
: the act of striking
especially : a blow with a weapon or instrument
2
: a single unbroken movement
especially : one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements
3
: a striking of the ball in a game
especially : a striking or attempt to strike the ball that counts as the scoring unit in golf
4
a
: a sudden action or process that results in something being struck
stroke of lightning
b
: an unexpected result
stroke of luck
5
: sudden weakening or loss of consciousness or the power to feel or move caused by the breaking or blocking (as by a clot) of a blood vessel in the brain

called also apoplexy

6
: one of a series of movements that pushes against something
stroke of an oar
7
: a vigorous or energetic effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished
a stroke of genius
8
: the movement or the distance of the movement in either direction of a mechanical part (as a piston) having a forward and backward motion
9
: the sound of a bell being struck
at the stroke of twelve
10
a
: a mark made by a single movement of a tool
a stroke of the pen
b
: one of the lines of a letter of the alphabet

stroke

3 of 3 verb
stroked; stroking
1
: to show or cancel with a line
stroked out my name
2
: hit entry 1 sense 1a
gently stroked the ball toward the hole
Etymology

Verb

Old English strācian "stroke, caress"

Noun

Middle English stroke "act of striking"

Medical Definition

stroke

noun
: sudden impairment or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion that is caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel supplying the brain and is accompanied by permanent damage of brain tissue

Note: Symptoms of stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body or face, confusion, impaired speech or vision, loss of coordination or balance, trouble walking, or severe headache. The most common type of stroke, ischemic stroke, results from a narrowed or blocked blood vessel, while hemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel. A very brief interruption of blood supply to the brain usually without lasting effects is called a ministroke or a transient ischemic attack.

… people at risk for stroke should be evaluated for surgery to open up blockages in the arteries of the neck.Jay Siwek, The Washington Post
Partial paralysis and speech difficulties often follow these strokes.Bruce Bower, Science News
stroke survivors

called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebral accident, cerebrovascular accident

More from Merriam-Webster on stroke

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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