backstroke
noun
back·stroke
ˈbak-ˌstrōk 
: a swimming stroke executed on the back and usually consisting of alternating circular arm pulls and a flutter kick
Examples of backstroke in a Sentence
She got into the pool and began to do the backstroke.
She won the 50-meter backstroke.
Recent Examples on the Web
The future Princess of Monaco participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a member of the South African women’s 4×100-meter medley relay team, competing in the backstroke style.
—
Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
There are sprints, passing drills… a few lengths of backstroke.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Andrés was doing laps in the ocean—backstroke one way, breaststroke the other.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Smith also finished second in the 50 backstroke, 200 fly and the 100 backstroke, the latter was also won by McKeown.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstroke
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Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
There are sprints, passing drills… a few lengths of backstroke.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Andrés was doing laps in the ocean—backstroke one way, breaststroke the other.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Smith also finished second in the 50 backstroke, 200 fly and the 100 backstroke, the latter was also won by McKeown.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstroke
Cite this Entry
“Backstroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstroke. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backstroke
noun
back·stroke
-ˌstrōk
: a swimming stroke made by a swimmer who lies in the water facing upward
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