breaststroke

noun

breast·​stroke ˈbres(t)-ˌstrōk How to pronounce breaststroke (audio)
: a swimming stroke executed in a prone position by coordinating a kick in which the legs are brought forward with the knees together and the feet are turned outward and whipped back with a glide and a backward sweeping movement of the arms
breaststroker noun

Examples of breaststroke in a Sentence

I'll be competing in the 50-meter breaststroke.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pioneers junior Aiden Kelly finished 16th in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:02.54. Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025 In the 100-meter breaststroke, five-time Olympic medalist Kate Douglass prevailed as the winner. Paras J. Haji, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 George Lam of Grafton won the 100 breaststroke in 59.04. Collin Purcell of Minnechaug Regional won the diving with 522.05 points. Stephen Tobey, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, her sister Alex Walsh now holds the record for the most individual titles in ACC women’s swimming history, with 12 individual titles and 32 total titles, and is the first swimmer in the conference to win the 200 breaststroke four times in a row. Casey Murphy, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for breaststroke

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breaststroke was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Breaststroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaststroke. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

breaststroke

noun
breast·​stroke ˈbres(t)-ˌstrōk How to pronounce breaststroke (audio)
: a swimming stroke performed by extending the arms in front of the head while drawing the knees forward and outward and then sweeping the arms back with palms out while kicking backward and outward

More from Merriam-Webster on breaststroke

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