breaststroke
noun
breast·stroke
ˈbres(t)-ˌstrōk 
: 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
Examples of breaststroke in a Sentence
I'll be competing in the 50-meter breaststroke.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Mercer is vying to be the second male swimmer from St. X to compete in the Olympics, joining Clark Burckle, who placed sixth in the 200-meter breaststroke at the 2012 Games in London.
—Ryan Black, The Courier-Journal, 6 Aug. 2023
Garfield sophomore Kelia Naranjo won the 50 freestyle (25.02) and 100 freestyle (53.94), and Claire Wu of Taft won the 200 individual medley (2:09.14) and 100 breaststroke (1:06.50) and swam the first leg on the Toreadors’ winning 200 freestyle relay.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2023
The sophomore won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke at the Division I 2023 Southwest Ohio District Swimming and Diving Championship Feb. 18.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2023
In 2020 won the state title in the 200 breaststroke and was a U.S. Nationals qualifier.
—Melissa Whatley, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
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
Mercer is vying to be the second male swimmer from St. X to compete in the Olympics, joining Clark Burckle, who placed sixth in the 200-meter breaststroke at the 2012 Games in London.
—Ryan Black, The Courier-Journal, 6 Aug. 2023
Garfield sophomore Kelia Naranjo won the 50 freestyle (25.02) and 100 freestyle (53.94), and Claire Wu of Taft won the 200 individual medley (2:09.14) and 100 breaststroke (1:06.50) and swam the first leg on the Toreadors’ winning 200 freestyle relay.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2023
The sophomore won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke at the Division I 2023 Southwest Ohio District Swimming and Diving Championship Feb. 18.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2023
In 2020 won the state title in the 200 breaststroke and was a U.S. Nationals qualifier.
—Melissa Whatley, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
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
Dictionary Entries Near breaststroke
Cite this Entry
“Breaststroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaststroke. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
breaststroke
noun
breast·stroke
ˈbres(t)-ˌstrōk
: 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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