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

Calvary Chapel swimmer Bianca Nwaizu narrowly missed setting the Orange County record in the 100-yard breaststroke on Saturday but still made history. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026

Dyer, from Littleton, Colorado, is the Missouri aquatic program’s first NCAA champion since swimmer Fabian Schwingenschlogl won the 100 breaststroke title eight years ago — and the Tigers’ first-ever national champion diver. —The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026

Day 3 of the four-day event continues on Friday with the 100 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 500 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 400 medley relay and three-meter diving. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026

The four-day event at the McAuley Aquatic Center continues on Thursday with the 100 butterfly, 400 individual medley, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 1-meter diving and the 200 freestyle relay. —ABC News, 25 Mar. 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