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 Marchand competed in the 200-yard medley relay, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and 400-yard freestyle relay. Logan Stanley, The Arizona Republic, 7 Jan. 2024 Kaitlyn Nguyen, Fountain Valley, Jr. The reigning CIF Division 1 breaststroke champion has committed to USC. Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2024 Meyer took fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke at the sectional last year, while also finishing sixth in the 200 individual medley and contributing to a seventh-place 200 medley relay team. Zac Bellman, Journal Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2024 Reese Reilly, Roger Bacon The sophomore has competed in several strokes this season, racing the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard freestyle. Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 11 Jan. 2024 In the 2023 state meet, Kruger won both the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard freestyle in repeat victories. Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 16 July 2023 Jack Wiggins led the way for Woodbridge Valley, finishing fourth in the 13-14 butterfly, fifth in the breaststroke and sixth in the IM. Craig Clary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2023 The 19-year-old 2020 Olympic gold medalist won the 100-meter breaststroke in Monaco with a mark of 1:05.99. Josh Reed, Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2023 Two events later, the sophomore Barlow placed fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke. Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breaststroke was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near breaststroke

Cite this Entry

“Breaststroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaststroke. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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