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
ˈbres(t)-ˌstrō-kər How to pronounce breaststroke (audio)
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.
Douglass opted not to race the individual 100, instead swimming the 100 breaststroke Thursday. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Roney broke the school’s 200-yard breaststroke record, holding it from 2008 to 2011, before becoming an assistant coach, according to an obituary. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Douglass had already won the 200 individual medley and 200 breaststroke at the meet, while Walsh had won the 100 free. — ABC News, 19 June 2026 Her titles came in the 400-yard individual medley (1994-96-97), 200-yard IM (1994-96), 200-yard breaststroke (1996-97), 100-yard breast (1994) and 800-yard freestyle relay (1994). — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 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

Rhymes for breaststroke

See All Rhymes for breaststroke

Browse Nearby Words

breast strap
breaststroke
breaststroke kick
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breaststroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaststroke. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breaststroke

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