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

The person swimming in the lane next to mine was doing the breaststroke and hit me with her leg, under the lane rope, on two consecutive laps. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026

Serou placed second in the 100-yard breaststroke at Division 1 states and the Dual County League championships. —Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026

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

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