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

breaststroker

ˈbres(t)-ˌstrō-kər 

noun

Examples of breaststroke in a Sentence

I'll be competing in the 50-meter breaststroke.

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, four Aztec swimmers are headed to the NCAAs — senior Moa Bergdahl (100 and 200-meter breaststroke), freshman Roni Black (also 100 and 200 breaststroke), senior Abby Storm (backstroke) and sophomore Alli Mann (100-meter butterfly). —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Podiums in the 100 backstroke by Hudson Roybal and 100 breaststroke by Will Currey completed the state-title winning performance. —Aro Majumder, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026

Wayland also got top four finishes in the 200-yard medley relay and the 100-yard breaststroke. —Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026

The complaint was dismissed and the teenager went on to win gold in the 200-meter breaststroke. —Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for breaststroke

• awoke
• baroque
• bespoke
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk
• kinsfolk
• menfolk
• provoke

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