stroke

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈstrōk 

stroked; stroking

transitive verb

1

: to rub gently in one direction

also : caress

2

: to flatter or pay attention to in a manner designed to reassure or persuade

stroker noun

stroke

2 of 3

noun

1

: the act of striking

especially : a blow with a weapon or implement

2

: a single unbroken movement

especially : one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements

3

a

: a controlled swing intended to hit a ball or shuttlecock

also : a striking of the ball

b

: such a stroke charged to a player as a unit of scoring in golf

4

a

: a sudden action or process producing an impact

a stroke of lightning

b

: an unexpected result

a stroke of luck

the idea was a stroke of inspiration

a master stroke of diplomacy

5

: sudden impairment or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion that is caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel supplying the brain, and is accompanied by permanent damage of brain tissue

Note: Symptoms of stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body or face, confusion, impaired speech or vision, loss of coordination or balance, trouble walking, or severe headache.

called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebrovascular accident

compare ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack

6

a

: one of a series of propelling beats or movements against a resisting medium

a stroke of the oar

b

: a rower who sets the pace for a crew

7

a

: a vigorous or energetic effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished

a stroke of genius

a brilliant diplomatic stroke

b

: a delicate or clever touch in a narrative, description, or construction

8

: heartbeat

9

: the movement in either direction of a mechanical part (such as a piston) having a reciprocating motion

also : the distance of such movement

10

: the sound of a bell being struck

at the stroke of twelve

also : the specific time indicated by or as if by such a sound

11

[stroke entry 1] : an act of stroking or caressing

12

a

: a mark or dash made by a single movement of an implement

b

: one of the lines of a letter of the alphabet

stroke

3 of 3

verb (2)

stroked; stroking

transitive verb

1

a

: to mark with a short line

stroke the t's

b

: to cancel by drawing a line through

stroked out his name

2

: to set the stroke for (a rowing crew)

also : to set the stroke for the crew of (a rowing boat)

3

sports : to hit, kick, or shoot (a ball) with a smooth movement

stroke a putt

stroked a single to left field

intransitive verb

1

: to execute a stroke

2

: to row at a certain number of strokes a minute

Phrases

at a stroke

: all at once

spent her savings at a stroke

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• caress
• fondle
• gentle
• love
• pat
• pet

Noun

• bang
• bash
• bat
• beat
• belt
• biff
• blow
• bop
• box
• buffet
• bust
• chop
• clap
• clip
• clout
• crack
• cuff
• dab
• douse [British]
• fillip
• hack
• haymaker
• hit
• hook
• knock
• larrup [dialect]
• lash
• lick
• pelt
• pick
• plump
• poke
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slug
• smack
• smash
• sock
• spank
• stinger
• stripe
• swat
• swipe
• switch
• thud
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• welt
• whack
• wham
• whop
• whap

Examples of stroke in a Sentence

Noun

He had a stroke last winter.

She has a strong backhand stroke.

He is ahead by two strokes.

She swims with long, smooth strokes.

the stroke of an oar

She knows the four basic strokes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In one such video, which has attained nearly 4 million views since it was published in October, Klee’s boyfriend strokes Luc, who is curled up into his chest like a human infant. —Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024

The post then featured a snap of what appeared to be Jason, 36, stroking Winnie’s fur. —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024

In recent years, doctors have been using imaging tests to monitor calcium buildup in the arteries of their patients to try to determine their risk of heart attack or stroke over time. —William Cornwell, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2024

Some evenings, for a few minutes only, the sky glows with amber and gold streaks, as if Monet had just stroked the skies with his paintbrush. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024

Elizabeth stroked his hair while his father held his hand. —Rozina Ali, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024

Walton showed very little emotion during the sentencing, stroking his chin and briefly covering his eyes with his left hand. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a point of flattering Trump and stroking his ego to smooth relations. —Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024

As the conversation turned to less exciting topics, Mr. Armstrong pulled Ms. Wolfe close and stroked her hair. —David Yaffe-Bellany, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024

Noun

With the stroke of the governor’s pen, local governments in Florida are now blocked from requiring heat protections for outdoor workers, driving a stake through the heart of Miami-Dade County’s efforts to keep farmworkers and construction workers safe from extreme heat. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

The artist then applied the paint using a small metal tool, applying thick strokes of paint for a textured, 3D appearance. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

The American has lived up to his billing as the pre-tournament favorite at the 88th edition of the major, shooting a bogey-free opening round to move within a stroke of the leading Bryson DeChambeau. —Jack Bantock, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

The cut for the top 50 and ties moved upward all afternoon and finally settled at 6-over-par 150, three strokes higher than 147 a year ago. —Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2024

The death, at a hospital, was caused by a stroke, his daughter Milena Pesce said. —Fred A. Bernstein, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Last April, Just for Us director and Edelman confidante Adam Brace died suddenly of a stroke. —Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024

Tragically, supplements with this ingredient were linked to at least two deaths and several more non-fatal strokes and heart attacks. —Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

By Sarah Klein April 1, 2024 11:00 AM EDT Almost 25 million adults in the U.S. have high cholesterol, which puts them at a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke in the next decade. —Sarah Klein, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English strācian; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke — more at strike

Noun

Middle English; akin to Old English strīcan to stroke — more at strike

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing stroke

• a stroke of genius
• a stroke of work
• at a stroke
• at the stroke of
• counter-stroke
• ground stroke
• hemorrhagic stroke
• ischemic stroke
• mini-stroke
• put (someone) off his/her stroke
• stroke of luck
• stroke out
• stroke play
• trudgen stroke
• watershed stroke
• with a (single) stroke of a/the/his/her pen

Kids Definition

stroke

1 of 3 verb

ˈstrōk 

stroked; stroking

1

: to rub gently in one direction

2

: to pass the hand over gently in kindness or tenderness

stroker noun

stroke

2 of 3 noun

1

: the act of striking

especially : a blow with a weapon or instrument

2

: a single unbroken movement

especially : one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements

3

: a striking of the ball in a game

especially : a striking or attempt to strike the ball that counts as the scoring unit in golf

4

a

: a sudden action or process that results in something being struck

stroke of lightning

b

: an unexpected result

stroke of luck

5

: sudden weakening or loss of consciousness or the power to feel or move caused by the breaking or blocking (as by a clot) of a blood vessel in the brain

called also apoplexy

6

: one of a series of movements that pushes against something

stroke of an oar

7

: a vigorous or energetic effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished

a stroke of genius

8

: the movement or the distance of the movement in either direction of a mechanical part (as a piston) having a forward and backward motion

9

: the sound of a bell being struck

at the stroke of twelve

10

a

: a mark made by a single movement of a tool

a stroke of the pen

b

: one of the lines of a letter of the alphabet

stroke

3 of 3 verb

stroked; stroking

1

: to show or cancel with a line

stroked out my name

2

: hit entry 1 sense 1a

gently stroked the ball toward the hole

Etymology

Verb

Old English strācian "stroke, caress"

Noun

Middle English stroke "act of striking"

Medical Definition

stroke

noun

ˈstrōk 

: sudden impairment or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion that is caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel supplying the brain and is accompanied by permanent damage of brain tissue

Note: Symptoms of stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body or face, confusion, impaired speech or vision, loss of coordination or balance, trouble walking, or severe headache. The most common type of stroke, ischemic stroke, results from a narrowed or blocked blood vessel, while hemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel. A very brief interruption of blood supply to the brain usually without lasting effects is called a ministroke or a transient ischemic attack.

… people at risk for stroke should be evaluated for surgery to open up blockages in the arteries of the neck.

—Jay Siwek, The Washington Post

Partial paralysis and speech difficulties often follow these strokes.

—Bruce Bower, Science News

stroke survivors

called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebral accident, cerebrovascular accident