swimming

¹swimming

adjective

Definition of SWIMMING

1

[present participle of swim] : that swims <a swimming bird>

2

[gerund of swim] : adapted to or used in or for swimming

First Known Use of SWIMMING

before 12th century

²swimming

noun

Definition of SWIMMING

: the act, art, or sport of one that swims and dives

Examples of SWIMMING

1. I am going swimming later today.

First Known Use of SWIMMING

14th century

swimming

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In recreation and sports, the propulsion of the body through water by combined arm and leg motions. Swimming is popular as an all-around fitness routine and as a competitive sport. It has been included in the modern Olympic Games since their inception in 1896. Events include freestyle (crawl-stroke) races at distances of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,500 m; backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly races at 100 and 200 m; individual medley races at 200 and 400 m; freestyle relays, 4 100 m and 4 200 m; and the medley relay, 4 100 m. Long-distance swimming competitions, usually of 15–37 mi (24–59 km), are generally held on lakes and inland waters.